No balls, many strikes. Photo by Gustavo Arellano
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Anyone who thought that Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle would give up after losing his lawsuit against Arte Moreno and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim doesn't know Curt Pringle. If there's one thing the man knows how to do, it's lose. He's lost at every level of local and state politics, his career the mirror image of über-loser Charlie Brown, whom boyishly moonfaced Pringle resembles in more ways than one.
THE PRINGLE LEGACY
Gathering Wind (of Losing):Runs unsuccessful bid for seat on Garden Grove City Council.
Breaking Wind Doth Blow:Runs unsuccessful bid for seat on Garden Grove City Council.
Really Blows: Runs unsuccessful bid (no, this is not a typo) for seat on Garden Grove City Council.
At Long Last Not Last: Wins his first election, to the Orange County Republican Central Committee, by defeating nobody. Pringle runs unopposed.
Chosen One:Is chosen by the Central Committee to run for the Assembly seat in the 69th District. Perhaps the committee chose Pringle for his boyish charm and ready intelligence, or, perhaps, it's because the Republican actually selected by primary voters to run, Richard Longshore, died before Election Day.
Whaaa? Pringle wins . . . yes, wins. Perhaps voters in the 69th chose Pringle because of his boyish charm and ready intelligence, or, perhaps, it was because the Republican Party hired uniformed guards to stand near polling places and intimidate Latino voters. Pringle and the Republican Party are sued over the guards and eventually settle the case for $400,000.
Vindication: Two years later, running for re-election, Pringle has a huge advantage over relative unknown assistant U.S. attorney, and Democrat, Tom Umberg. Pringle is the incumbent and benefits from an in-district appearance by Ronald Reagan. With those kinds of advantages, he can't lose. He does.
Coming From Ahead: Through redistricting, Pringle is elected to the Assembly in 1992, eventually rising to the post of Assembly speaker in 1996, where he wields broad power to issue committee assignments and administrative duties. Pringle's ability in these areas so impresses colleagues that immediately after his tenure ends, they transfer much of the speaker's authority to committee chairmen.
. . . Blah Blah Blah:Loses state treasurer race to Phil Angelides in 1998.
And So It Goes (Badly):Elected Anaheim mayor in 2002, he sues Angels owner Arte Moreno over changing the name of his team to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Pringle spends about $2 million in taxpayer funds to pursue the case, which he and the city—wait for it—lose.
