Old Town Seal Beach resident Scott L. Levitt, son of District 5 (Leisure World) City Councilman Michael Levitt, officially announced on Monday, March 8 that he will seek the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor of California. The primary will be held in June.
He has never held public office before.
His father, Councilman Michael Levitt, actually wanted him to run for the District 1 council seat this year.
Councilman Levitt thought his son could win the council seat. Councilman Levitt said his son had name recognition in the area.
He also believed many Old Town residents shared his son’s views on property rights.
Councilman Levitt said his son was denied a permit to build two-three story condominium project in Old Town largely because of the opinions of one particular member of the Planning Commission.
Councilman Levitt speculated that planner would likely run to replace Councilman Charles Antos as the District 1 council representative.
Councilman Levitt said it would be “ironic” if his son defeated her for that seat.
Councilman Levitt did not identify her by name, but the commissioner for District 1 is Ellery Deaton.
While his father wanted him to to run for local office, Scott Levitt wanted to run for state office.
“The role of lieutenant governor is a vital one,” Scott Levitt said in a press release announcing his candidacy.
“Besides serving as the second highest ranking official in the state government and the president of the state Senate, the lieutenant governor sits on the Board of Regents for the University of California, the Board of Trustees for the Cal State system as well as on the state Lands Commission, and the Commission for Economic Development,” Levitt said.
“My educational and professional background is unique in that I am well versed in all of these various areas of governing,” he said.
“I have declared my candidacy because it is time someone familiar with the law, business, and economics get the state back on track,” Levitt said.
Levitt has pledged not to accept more than $5,000 from any individual or corporate donor.
A look at the competition
It is too soon to tell what Levitt’s chances of success might be.
The Secretary of State of California still has not yet published the official certified list of candidates for office.
However, his opponents in the June Republican primary could include California Sen. Sam Aanestad (Grass Valley), California Sen. Abel Maldonado and, possibly, Assemblyman George Plescia (who hasn’t announced his candidacy yet, according to www.ourcampains.com).
Two of Levitt’s opponants have a head start on him in the race and potential name recognition.
Aanestad announced his candidacy in October 2009.
Sen. Maldonado’s name was first linked with the lieutenant governor’s office in November 2009 when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he wanted the Santa Maria Republican to replace Democratic Lt. Gov. John Garamendi.
Lt. Gov. Garamendi left the office last year after winning a Congressional seat.
By state law, there was a 90-day window for the state legislature to confirm or deny Schwarzenegger’s appointment.
In mid-February, the state Assembly and Senate both voted on the matter, but neither the confirmation votes nor the denial votes were sufficient to decide the issue.
Schwarzenegger has since re-nominated Maldonado. According to the Web site for the lieutenant governor’s office, lawmakers have until May 17 to confirm or reject Maldonado—or he automatically becomes lietenant governor.
Meanwhile, the acting lieutenant governor of California is Mona Pasquil.
Levitt and his campaign
n a March 15 press release, Levitt’s campaign announced that he made a strong showing at the annual California GOP convention.
Levitt is a California licensed attorney, general contractor and real estate broker.
Levitt has served as chief general counsel for a corporation for the better part of the past decade.
Although he has worked for a corporation, his Web site is critical of corporate and union influence on American politics.
Prior to his current position, Levitt was the senior accountant and finance manager for six years for a residential real estate development company and contractor.
Levitt has taught college courses in both law and finance at Chapman University and Cal Poly Pomona extension services.
Levitt has a bachelor of science degree in business management, a MBA in business administration, a juris doctor (a professional doctorate in law) and is currently finishing an LL.M. (the equivalent of a master’s degree) in business law and economics, studying directly under Vernon Smith, the 2002 Nobel Prize Winner in economics.
Levitt and the three-story controversy
In June 2006, Levitt applied for a Conditional Use Permit to build two three-story townhome condominium project on a wide lot on 13th Street.
The Zoning Code at that time allowed Old Town property owners to build a third story (restricted to the rear half of the structure) on a lot that was at least 37.5 feet wide.
No CUP was required for the three-story buildings. However, a CUP was required to to legally make those townhomes condominiums.
The Planning Commission rejected Levitt’s application in response to objections of Seal Beach residents who opposed three-story residences.
At the time, Levitt argued that anyone who opposed his application opposed property rights.
Opponents of his project argued they were protecting their own property rights.
The commission justified its vote on the grounds that the project was not compatible with the neighborhood.
The controversy ultimately led to a ban on three-story houses in the Old Town area of Seal Beach, approved by approximately 73 percent of voters city-wide in the November 2008 election.
The controversy also triggered a referendum campaign against a revised citywide Zoning Code and an unsuccessful campaign to recall District 1 Councilman Antos.
During the run up to that election, Levitt was involved with Save Our Seal Beach, a property rights organization that opposed the height limit.
Incidentally, Levitt was able to build his condominium project. He withdrew his request for a condominium project. By city law, he was allowed to build the two three-story townhomes.
Once they were built, he returned to the Planning Commission with a request for a CUP to make the townhomes into condominiums.
This time, the commission granted the request.
For more information on the Levitt campaign, go to www.LevittforLG.com.
