The Hatch Act ends Jose Moreno’s campaign for the 69th Assembly District

Jose Moreno’s campaign for the 69th Assembly District has ended – a result of a federal law, the Hatch Act, which prevents many employees of county governments from running for legislative seats – if federal funds are used by their departments. Moreno works for the Orange County Health Care Agency. As such his job was threatened – because union members and local liberal bloggers used the Hatch Act to attack him and to go after his job and his family’s well-being.

Moreno’s opponent, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Tom Daly, also appears to have a Hatch Act problem as his department takes federal money in order to fund their processing of U.S. passports. Daly is also embroiled in charges of sexual harassment.

Moreno will remain on the ballot and I will still be voting for him.

Here are Moreno’s thoughts on this subject, from his campaign website (which will be coming down by tomorrow):

I have been given a choice from the US Special Counsels Office: end campaigning and withdraw my candidacy for the 69th Assembly District or quit my employment with the County of Orange.

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