No contest for seat

***FOR THE RECORD: Saturday’s “No contest for seat” incorrectly stated that sheriff’s deputies would need to reach age 55 to receive newly negotiated retirement benefits. In fact, they can retire at any age and receive partial benefits, but they become eligible for full benefits at age 55. In addition, the article should have stated that Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach has been married for 29 years.***

Unopposed Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach has all but been reelected.

No one has filed papers to challenge him, and the deadline has passed.

“I haven’t sat down and tried to figure why I wasn’t challenged,” said Moorlach, a Costa Mesa resident. “I think it may be a combination of things.”

Moorlach represents the 2nd District, which includes Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

The 54-year-old has been carrying the torch of pension reform in hopes of reducing the county’s spending. In Novemeber 2008, Moorlach’s Measure J, which required voter approval before increasing county employees’ pension benefits, passed with overwhelming support.

And he recently negotiated new tiers for new hires with the union that represents sheriff’s deputies.

Newly hired deputies will not be able to retire until age 55. At that age they can collect 3% of their salaries for every year of service and have to contribute 6.6% of retirement costs.

That deal, which was approved by the deputies’ union, is less generous than the program for veteran employees, who can retire at age 50 and retain 90% of their pay.

“Maybe people think ‘he’s not afraid of anybody; he took on the deputy sheriff union and they carry guns,’” he said. “Another reason is I built some credibility.”

Moorlach says he’s not anti-public-safety unions, but “it would be tragic if a deputy retires and then gets a postcard that says ‘I’m sorry, we just don’t have enough money to pay you the full benefit.’”

Before running for the county seat, Moorlach served as the county treasurer.

Moorlach has been married 30 years to his wife, Trina, and has a daughter and two sons.