Hagman, Huff file intents to switch jobs

Yorba Linda's representatives in the state legislature—Assemblyman Curt Hagman and Senator Bob Huff, both Republicans—have filed papers with election officials that signal intent to switch jobs in 2016.

And importantly, they've already raised considerable cash for campaigns three years from now, a tactic that, combined with their name recognition, will scare off potential opponents.

Hagman reaches the end of his term-limited six years in the Assembly in 2014, and Huff's maximum eight years in the Senate ends in 2016.They first won their current jobs in 2008.

Hagman's “statement of intention” is to seek nomination for Huff's Senate position, while the Huff filing is for nomination for Hagman's old Assembly seat, each in the June 2016 primary.

Candidates are required to file statements of intention to run for a specific office before collecting campaign funds. So far, only Hagman and Huff have filed intents in the 2016 primaries for the positions.

Hagman has raised $101,000 as of June 30, spending $48,000, with $53,000 in the bank. He held a fund-raising strategy meeting in March and events at Disneyland in June and the Yorba Linda County Club in July. He has about $145,000 leftover in his Assembly campaign account.

Huff has raised $164,000 as of June 30, spending $23,000, with $141,000 in the bank. He's held several fund-raising events and has $231,000 leftover in his Senate campaign account.

Huff served two Assembly terms from 2004-08, so under current law he can serve one more, while Hagman can serve two four-year Senate terms. A 2012 term-limit change doesn't apply to either candidate, since they held office when state voters approved the measure.

Interestingly, just $6,322 of the $266,151 donated to Hagman's and Huff's 2016 campaigns this year came from 12 individuals. The remainder was given by a variety of business- and industry-related political action committees, Indian tribes and other specific-interest groups.

Meanwhile, two Republicans have announced for Hagman's Assembly job in the 2014 primary, with Ling-Ling Chang, a Diamond Bar councilwoman, and Phillip Chen, a Walnut Valley school trustee, raising $262,000 and $319,000, respectively. Democrat Chris Brown filed his intent but hasn't formed a committee.

The 55^th Assembly District is 40 percent Republican, 32 percent Democrat and 23 percent no preference and includes Brea, La Habra, Placentia and Yorba Linda in the OC; Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights, Walnut and parts of Industry and West Covina in L.A. County; and Chino Hills in San Bernardino County. Population is 461,696, with 240,865 registered voters.

The 29^th Senate District is 38 percent Republican, 34 percent Democrat and 23 percent no preference and includes Brea, Cypress, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia, Stanton, Yorba Linda and parts of Anaheim and Buena Park in the OC; Diamond Bar, Walnut and parts of Industry and West Covina in L.A. County; and Chino Hills in San Bernardino County. Population is 925,494, with 422,530 registered voters.