Paul Horcher
Paul V. Horcher (born August 31, 1951) is an American former politician from California and a former member of the Republican Party.
Paul V. Horcher | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 60th district | |
| In office December 7, 1992 – May 16, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Sally Tanner |
| Succeeded by | Gary Miller |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 52nd district | |
| In office December 3, 1990 – November 30, 1992 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Hill |
| Succeeded by | Willard H. Murray Jr. |
| Member of the Diamond Bar City Council | |
| In office 1989–1990 | |
| Member of the Diamond Bar Municipal Advisory Council | |
| In office 1982–1989 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 31, 1951 Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent (since 1994) Republican (until 1994) |
| Spouse | Van Le (m. 1982) |
| Children |
|
| Residence | California |
| Alma mater | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Early career edit
A graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Horcher practiced law before joining the Diamond Bar Municipal Advisory Council in 1982. In 1989 he co-founded the city of Diamond Bar and was elected to its city council.[1]
Legislative Races edit
In 1990 Horcher was elected to the California State Assembly from the 52nd district, which covered eastern Los Angeles County including the cities of West Covina, Whittier and Horcher's hometown of Diamond Bar. He easily won reelection in the renumbered 60th district in 1992.
In late 1994 Horcher also ran, unsuccessfully this time, in a special election for the California State Senate. The 29th district had been vacated by the resignation of GOP incumbent Frank Hill, who had been convicted of corruption. Horcher came in third behind GOP Assemblyman Dick Mountjoy and Diamond Bar city councilman Gary Miller, with the mud between Mountjoy and Miller being especially nasty.[2] Horcher did, however, have an easy reelection to the assembly later that November.
Assembly career edit
Although a Republican, Horcher carved a relatively moderate voting record while in the legislature. His support on many key votes endeared him to Democratic Speaker Willie Brown but made him a pariah among his fellow Republicans. After the 1994 elections, Republicans won control of the California State Assembly by a single seat. Horcher, still fuming from his own party's rough treatment of him, declared himself an Independent on December 5, 1994[3] and voted to keep Democrat Brown in power. Furious Republicans qualified a recall election against Horcher, which voters supported May 16, 1995. He was replaced by, coincidentally, Diamond Bar city councilman, Gary Miller, who turned out to be a more loyal Republican.[4]
Post Legislature edit
After leaving the Assembly, Horcher held various position in the administration of Willie Brown, who by then had been elected mayor of San Francisco. He served under Brown from 1996 until 2004, when Brown's term ended.[1] Following his service to San Francisco, he returned to a real estate and administrative law practice. His niche law practice in San Francisco includes representing massage parlors who have been accused of violating San Francisco Health Code.[5]
Electoral history edit
| Year | Office | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | California State Assembly District 52 | Gary Neeley | 31,583 | 41.1% | Paul Horcher | 45,264 | 58.9% | |||
| 1992 | California State Assembly District 60 | Stan Caress | 44,284 | 36.6% | Paul Horcher | 67,397 | 55.7% | |||
| 1994 | California State Senate District 26 (special election) | Sandy Hester | 64,007 | 33% | Paul Horcher 18% Gary Miller 20% Richard Mountjoy 45% | 116,562 | 55.7% | |||
| 1994 | California State Assembly District 60 | Andy Ramirez | 30,590 | 32.6% | Paul Horcher | 94,722 | 61.5% |
References edit
- ^ a b Vassar, Alex; Shane Meyers (2007). "Paul V. Horcher, Republican". JoinCalifornia.com. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
- ^ "Complete Election Results". StateNet Publications. December 1994.
- ^ Vassar, Alex (2017-12-29). "Where are they now? Paul Horcher". Capitol Weekly. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
- ^ "The 1996 Primary: The Endgame Begins". StateNet Publications. May 1996.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2012-07-27.
External links edit
- Join California Paul Horcher, Election History for the State of California