Senator Tom Harman Fundraiser - Who Called Who?

I almost thought that they'd be nothing to write about today.

Anyway, State Senator Tom Harman's getting pretty active in Newport Beach raising money.

I wonder who's doing the outreach...

Or am I out soo out of touch that State Senator Tom Harman is really popular in Newport Beach?

I saw this comment on the 1st of December in a Daily Pilot article:

"For those of you who know Senator Harmon (they didn't know how to spell his name...) to be a faithful advocate for "NO Expansion at JWA", you might consider supporting him at a fund raiser given by AirFair. The event will be on Monday, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m., at 523 Via Lido Soud, Newport Beach. We need politicians who are willing to fight with us to keep JWA at "10.8 and shut the gate.""

No surprise considering that State Senator is a supporter of AirFair.

But then I saw this on the OCGOP calendar and started scratching my head:

Thursday, 12/20/07 6:00 PM Special Event

Reception For Senator Tom Harman, 35th Senate District With Hosts Newport Beach Mayor Pro Tem Ed Selich & Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry Where: Curry Residence, Newport Beach Please join Newport Beach Mayor Pro Tem Ed Selich and Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry at a reception for Senator Tom Harman on December 20th from 6:00-7:30pm at the Curry home. Business Attire. $100 per person/$150 per couple. For more information and to RSVP please call 714-321-2759.

Seeing Councilman Curry hosting a political event at his home isn't particularly surprising, considering that Keith has been involved in Political Events in the past, but soon-to-be Mayor Ed Selich getting political and lending his name (and possibly dough) to a political event?

That one's new.

But I'm actually a bit surprised by both of these Council member's early support for State Senator Tom Harman.

First off, soon-to-be Mayor Selich always been very low key politically, both in and outside of the City.

In fact, other than his 10 years on the Planning Commission and subsequent time on the City Council, I've always seen Ed as somewhat apolitical.

Is this a sign of things to come for Ed's coming Mayoral year?

Second, I'm especially surprised by Councilman Curry's support.

Councilman Curry has always seemed to be a very Conservative guy and with rumors circulating about a possible challenger (to State Senator Tom Harman in the Republican Primary) who fits more in line with Councilman Curry political and personal beliefs, I thought that Keith would have waited until the challenger made a decision (unless a decision was made since I last spoke to the potential challenger on Friday afternoon).

State Senator Harman must be:

• Working Newport Beach very hard, or
  
• More popular in Newport Beach than I thought.

Interesting stuff.