For the last few weeks, the buzz has been that Irvine Councilman Steven Choi is going to jump into the race for the 70th AD.  If he does pull the trigger, and I do believe that he will jump into the race, this will add another dimension to the two way dynamic that was developing between Don Wagner and Jerry Amante. 

Dr Choi brings a lot to the table as far as electability.  He has never lost an election here in Irvine.  He first ran for a seat on the School Board back in 1998.  After a term and a half there, he was elected to the City Council in 2004 and then re-elected last year for another four years. With Irvine being the biggest city in the 70th, his name ID alone right now makes him a strong contender.  He ran for the 71st AD last cycle because he lives in the only Irvine precinct that is in the 71st AD.  He eventually never pulled papers for that race and threw his support to Neil Blais.  This means he will have to find another residence that is actually in the district.  So you could technically say he is carpetbagging, but I believe the 70th is a better fit for him anyways, electorally speaking. 

Dr Choi is one of the hardest working politicians that I have seen.  He makes a point to go to as many events as he can and is very visible around Irvine.  I don't think anyone will be able to say that they out worked him.  He will also be able to bring significant resources to this race.  I think the number floating around is that he will be able to bring about $400 to $500k between his own money and donor money.  He would be running in the middle of his current council term.  He has a free run so to speak at this or another race.  I believe he should have run for Mayor, but was told that this would not be kosher to his Korean/Asian donor friends who are behind the incumbent, Sukhee Kang.  Don't ask me why this is. 

Having said all this, let's talk about some of his negatives.  He is jumping into the race very late in the game.  Most of the endorsements have already been gathered up, although he will have some high profile local endorsements if he runs.  Christina Shea is the biggest name that is backing him and I'm told that the Irvine Company will also get behind his race.  He won't be able to lay claim to being the consensus conservative/constitutional choice in this race.  That honor is going to Don Wagner and it's not really even close.  That point will be important as we get down to brass tacks in this race.  All you have to do is look what happened back in 2004 when the liberal Republican Christy Christich ran against Chuck DeVore.  Chuck was the consensus conservative choice back then and he ended up beating Christich by 20 points.  BTW, what ever happened to her? 

He hasn't hired a consultant yet to my knowledge, but all of this...is, as they say developing.