Orange, Calif. — Upon recent news of former Senator John Moorlach’s alleged cover-up and attempts to discredit his former staff member over rape allegations, Democratic Party of Orange County Chairwoman Ada Briceño released the following statement:

“By continuing to stand with John Moorlach despite months of overwhelming allegations, the OC GOP is perpetuating a toxic attitude toward women. It’s wrong, and it’s up to all of us to change it. The OC GOP should rescind its endorsement of John Moorlach; it is the morally responsible thing to do.

Senator Dick Ackerman’s revelation that Moorlach lied about his knowledge of the incident raises serious doubts about Moorlach’s integrity and judgement. His subsequent lack of formal investigation, and professional retribution, clearly make him unfit to represent any Orange County resident in public office.”

About the Democratic Party of Orange County

Orange County is a nationally-watched battleground for federal and state elections. Once famously known as “Reagan country,” after President Reagan called Orange County the place where “all good Republicans go to die,” Orange County is rapidly shifting from a Republican stronghold into a highly diverse Democratic metropolis.

Chair Ada Briceño, a longtime labor organizer, Co-President of UNITE HERE Local 11, and Democratic National Committee member, is the first immigrant and second Latina to lead the Democratic Party of Orange County.

Orange County Democrats are experiencing dramatic growth at all levels of office. In 2018, they famously swept all seven Congressional seats in Orange County. In 2019, Democrats overtook countywide voter registration to become the region’s leading political party. In 2020, Democrats flipped 20 local seats and two state senate seats from red to blue, including in deep-red areas of the county. Over the past four years, Democrats made a 5-point gain in voter registration, and now outpace the OC GOP by more than two points.

Orange County is the nation’s sixth largest county, with 3.2 million residents and more than 650,000 registered Democratic voters.

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For Immediate Release: January 20, 2021