Big changes are happening in Orange County politics! On Monday, January 13, former Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill was elected as the new chair of the Orange County Republican Party (OCGOP). O’Neill takes over from Fred Whitaker, who served as chair for several years. The race for the chair position was an exciting three-way contest, with O’Neill facing off against Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner and former Fullerton Mayor Bruce Whitaker (no relation to Fred).
The vote results were clear: O’Neill won with 51 votes, while Wagner received 11 and Bruce Whitaker got 10. This marks the first contested race for OCGOP officer positions since 2011, making it a historic moment for the party.
A New Chapter for OCGOP
At the central committee meeting in Costa Mesa, O’Neill shared his vision for the future. He acknowledged the recent victories for the party, like the wins in Huntington Beach and Capistrano Unified School District races, but he also pointed out some tough losses that the GOP faced. He mentioned the loss of former Rep. Michelle Steel and key congressional districts, highlighting the need for a stronger, more diverse party base.
O’Neill stressed the importance of building up local races, noting that support for down-ballot candidates—those running for city councils, school boards, and other local offices—is crucial. He made a commitment to help grow Republican representation across Orange County, aiming for more all-Republican city councils and boards. “We’re going to fight, fight, fight in every local race,” he said, emphasizing the importance of grassroots efforts.
The Race for Chair
Each candidate had their own vision for the party. Wagner, a former Assembly member and current District 3 Supervisor, spoke about the need for change, pointing out that the lack of contested races over the past 15 years might signal complacency within the party. He made it clear that “business as usual isn’t working.”
On the other hand, Bruce Whitaker focused on unifying the party and expanding its reach. He acknowledged that the county has become more Democratic over the past decade and suggested that the GOP needed to do more to connect with voters who don’t identify with any political party.
Fred Whitaker’s Continued Involvement
Fred Whitaker, who supported O’Neill’s candidacy, won’t be stepping away from the OCGOP entirely. While he’s handing over the chair position, he’ll continue to serve as a central committee member and take on the important role of finance director for the party. Fred’s proudest achievement during his time as chair was leading the OCGOP’s recovery after the 2018 losses, especially regaining key seats like those held by Rep. Young Kim and Michelle Steel.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic Side…
Not to be outdone, the Orange County Democratic Party also saw a leadership change. At the same time, labor attorney Florice Hoffman was elected as the new chair, succeeding Ada Briceño. It looks like 2025 is shaping up to be a year of political transformation in Orange County, with both parties gearing up for some major changes ahead.
So, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, it’s clear that there’s a lot happening in Orange County politics right now—and we’ll all be watching to see how the new leadership shapes the future of the county!
