John Moorlach

John M. W. Moorlach
Member of the California State Senate from the 37th district
Incumbent
Assumed office March 22, 2015
Preceded by	Mimi Walters
Member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors from the 2nd District
In office December 5, 2006 – January 5, 2015
Preceded by	Jim Silva
Succeeded by	Michelle Park Steel
Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector
In office March 17, 1995 – December 5, 2006
Preceded by	Robert Citron
Succeeded by	Chriss Street
Personal details
Born	Johannes Meindert Willem Moorlach[1] December 21, 1955 Groningen, Netherlands
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Trina Moorlach
Children	Sarah, Caleb, Daniel
Residence	Costa Mesa, California
Alma mater	California State University, Long Beach
Occupation	Certified Public Accountant
Religion	Protestant
Website	Sen. John Moorlach

John M. W. Moorlach (born December 21, 1955 in the Netherlands) is a Republican California State Senator representing 37th Senate district, which includes portions of Orange County, since March 22, 2015. He previously served on the Orange County Board of Supervisors from December 5, 2006 – January 5, 2015 and as Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector from March 17, 1995 – December 5, 2006.

Early life

Born Johannes Meindert Willem Moorlach in Groningen, Netherlands, Moorlach's family came to the United States when he was four years old. He grew up in the Orange County cities of Cypress and Buena Park. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from the California State University, Long Beach in 1977. He is a certified public accountant and certified financial planner. Before entering public office, he was vice president of accounting firm Balser, Horowitz, Frank and Wakeling, and the administrative partner of its Costa Mesa office. With his wife, Trina, he has three children.^[1]

County Treasurer-Tax Collector

Moorlach first came to public attention by predicting the largest municipal bond portfolio loss and bankruptcy in U.S. history while campaigning for the office of Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector against incumbent Democrat Robert Citron in 1994. Citron resigned in disgrace later that year and was replaced on an interim basis by Tom Daxon. On March 17, 1995, Moorlach was appointed to fill the vacancy, was elected by the voters in 1996 to complete the unexpired term, and re-elected in 1998 and 2002, serving nearly twelve years.

He is recognized as a leading expert on municipal bankruptcies. He received phone calls regarding a looming municipal bond crisis in Jefferson County, Alabama.^[2]

County Supervisor

In 2006, he opted not to run for re-election as Treasurer-Tax Collector and instead ran for Orange County Supervisor, winning 70% of the vote. Moorlach was unopposed for re-election as Supervisor in 2010.

While on the Board of Supervisors, he served on the Orange County Transportation Authority, OC LAFCO, CalOptima, and Southern California Regional Airport Authority boards.

State Senator

In 2013 Moorlach announced his candidacy for the U.S. House seat being vacated by John Campbell, before dropping out shortly before the close of candidate filing.^[3] The Congressional seat would be won by Mimi Walters, who vacated her seat in the State Senate, paving the way for the special election that sent Moorlach to the State Senate.

On the twentieth anniversary of his appointment as Treasurer-Tax Collector, Moorlach won 50.3% of the vote in the special election to succeed Walters, defeating Assemblyman Donald P. Wagner, a fellow Republican who won 44.0% of the vote.

References

1. Wilgoren, Jodi (March 18, 1995). "This Time, Moorlach Is Elected Unanimously". Los Angeles Times.
2. Haldane, David (April 11, 2008). "Orange County's financial debacle may soon be surpassed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
3. Cahn, Emily (August 1, 2013). "Mimi Walters on Jungle Primaries and Orange County Stereotypes". Roll Call. Retrieved 2013-08-10.

External links

• Official state web site
• Official campaign web site