Former Lake Forest City Councilman Andrew Hamilton has staged a remarkable political comeback, effectively winning the office of Orange County Auditor-Controller when no other candidate filed to run on the June primary ballot.
I feel very fortunate and grateful to be the only candidate for Auditor-Controller,” Hamilton told OC Independent. “As a taxpayer watchdog, I will promote transparency and the highest integrity to demonstrate to the voters that I am worthy of their trust.”
The seat was open due to incumbent Frank Davies decision not to seek another term, which meant the candidate filing deadline was extended to 5:00 p.m. on March 16.
John Moorlach, who had served continuously in public office from 1995 until 2020 as county Treasurer, Supervisor and state Senator, had also filed to run for the office. However, there was a question about his qualification to run, since state law states no one can be elected to that office unless they have an active Certified Public Accountant license. Moorlach’s CPA license is inactive.
At the end of the day, Moorlach chose not to contest the matter and did not complete his candidate filing. When the 5:00 p.m. on March 16 deadline came and went, Hamilton was the only qualified candidate; his will be the only name on the ballot for that office in the June primary.
It is highly unusual for an open county-wide seat to be won by default because only a single candidate is on the ballot. Some political insiders believe Moorlach’s presence as a potential candidate until nearly the end of filing helped Hamilton.
Although he is the only candidate for Auditor-Controller, his name and the office will still appear on the ballot because it is a county office. When like situations arise in city council and school board races, no ballot is printed.
Hamilton was elected to the Lake Forest City Council in 2014, and formed part of the conservative majority bloc on the council along with allies like Councilmembers Scott Voigts and Dwight Robinson. A recall effort against the three pushed by wealthy gadfly Adam Nick failed to qualify, but a subsequent recall targeting only Hamilton did qualify, and Hamilton was recalled in early 2018.
Hamilton is currently the director of finance the City of Yucaipa.
[An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Hamilton was currently finance director and treasurer for the Central Basin Municipal Water District. That was his position prior to going to work for the City of Yucaipa.]
