Official recognition

This week has been one of promotions and recognition for Newport-Mesa officials, with Costa Mesa Assemblyman Van Tran’s elevation to assistant Republican Assembly leader topping the list.

On Monday, Tran was named one of two assistant GOP Assembly leaders by newly minted Republican leader George Plescia of San Diego. It’s a step that shows how fast politicos think Tran’s star is rising.

Fellow Orange County politician Mimi Walters, a Laguna Niguel assemblywoman, was named an assistant Republican leader along with Tran. In their new roles, they’ll help develop strategies and advise Republicans on legislation.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for my district specifically and Orange County in general to have someone in the leadership position so that we can get our voices heard, particularly on issues such as lower taxes and less government,” Tran said.

Of course it’s an honor and all that, but really, what does the new position mean for Tran?

“A lot more meetings. Early morning meetings and late night functions,” he said.

After working for a congressman and a state senator and serving a term on the Garden Grove City Council, Tran won the 68th District Assembly seat in 2004. Earlier this year, he dipped a toe into the race for the 34th District state Senate seat but later pulled back from what would have been a three-way GOP battle in the June 6 primary.

Most observers expect him to win reelection easily, although he faces a primary challenge from Fountain Valley Republican Long Kim Pham.

NATIONAL GUARD PROMOTION

Not to be outdone, Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore was promoted by the governor himself. Schwarzenegger presided over a Sacramento ceremony when DeVore was bumped up from major to lieutenant colonel in the California Army National Guard.

Like Tran, DeVore was elected to the Assembly in 2004. He’s been in the National Guard since 1985.

“It was a great honor, and I was certainly humbled to have the governor there with my parents and my family. The governor made some very nice remarks about the influence that parents have in molding their children,” DeVore said Wednesday.

To earn his promotion, DeVore had to continue his education from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, get good reports from his superiors, stay physically fit, and have the promotion approved by a federal board. He said he devotes at least 20 hours a month to the guard, and he spends about 15 days a year on full-time active duty.

Getting promoted by the governor with his family and guard colleagues looking on was great, DeVore said, but the event was also noteworthy for another reason.

“It was right next to the ‘Conan the Barbarian’ sword that he keeps next to his desk,” DeVore said.

HONORED ALUM; 20 MINUTES WITH THE PRESIDENT

And finally, Rep. John Campbell was honored by his alma mater, USC, as a distinguished alumnus. He’s gone far since his student days ? all the way to the U.S. House, in fact.

But this week Campbell was given perhaps an even more exciting honor: flying on Air Force One with President Bush.

Bush capped a weekend visit to California with a Monday stop in Irvine ? Campbell’s hometown ? to talk about immigration reform. Campbell flew back to Washington with several other members of Congress and the president.

“I guess in a sense it’s the ultimate private jet,” Campbell said Tuesday. “Where we sat, they have people serving you food and drinks similar to what you would have in first class on a commercial airline, but the chairs are bigger.”

There’s an area for members of Congress to sit, a section for the press, and the president’s personal area has beds, a bathroom with a full shower and office space. Guests get goodie bags of M&Ms;, matches, eyeglass cleaner and other items with the Air Force One logo.

And of course there’s a protocol.

“Kind of the unwritten rule on Air Force One is you don’t move forward on the plane unless you’re invited,” Campbell said. “Nobody strolls into the president’s office unless he invites you.”

Campbell and other members of Congress did get invited to sit down with Bush for about 20 minutes.

GET YOUR FILL OF CAMPBELL

If you hunger for more news by and about Rep. Campbell, pay a visit to his improved website, which was set to go up this week. It’s the same address as his old one ? www.house.gov/campbell ? but will include new bells and whistles, Campbell’s communications director Myal Greene said.

Visitors can read Campbell’s House floor speeches, sign up to receive e-mail updates and send their thoughts using an online form.

“It’s basically our one-stop shop for constituents,” Greene said.

He predicted the most-used feature would be the one to write to Campbell because the contact information is typically what people look for on congressional websites.

TAX-FREE DISASTER SUPPLIES?

To help people prepare for the next natural disaster, Assemblyman Tran joined several other legislators to push a bill that would offer a sales tax holiday on disaster-related supplies. If the bill is passed, people will be given nine days in October to buy first aid kits, flashlights, radios and other emergency items, free of sales tax.

Tran said about a dozen states offer sales tax holidays on back-to-school items, but just two ? Florida and Connecticut ? give sales tax relief on disaster supplies. The bill was discussed Monday by an Assembly committee and will be voted on in May.dpt.27-pollandscape-2-CPhotoInfo9S1QC0M220060427iycpgonc(LA)Gov. Schwarzenegger, left, shakes Assemblyman Chuck DeVore’s hand at a ceremony promoting DeVore to lieutenant colonel in California Army National Guard. DeVore’s wife, Diane DeVore, smiles at right.dpt.27-pollandscape-1-CPhotoInfo9S1QC0K220060427it7reqncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOTCosta Mesa Assemblyman Van Tran, shown here at a news conference in January, was named assistant Assembly leader this week.