The rumors continue with Orange County’s newly elected Tax Collector Scott Randolph, who can’t seem to keep himself out of the drama. Now there is word that Randolph will be resigning as Chair of the local Orange County Democratic Party, possibly to avoid conflicts many pointed out in serving as a County Constitutional officer and Chair of a party and possibly to decrease the scrutiny and challenges he has received.
It’s been a rough tenure for Randolph, who did enjoy the “Obama bounce” with Democratic victories in November throughout Orange County. However, his track record before November was questionable, and he flirted with running for many offices before taking the Tax Collector replacement after Earl K. Wood died. Randolph recently blew his cool at a local meeting. His strong-handed attempts to change party rules and requirements have also been met with resistance and opposition from many Democratic factions, especially the minority communities who feel neglected and left out by Randolph.
Randolph also quickly hired the Democratic Party Campaigns Chair Andrew Bell, who had no prior experience outside of working for Randolph on the coordinated campaign and working as a part-time bank teller. A possible scandal started brewing as he also convinced Deputy Tax Collector Kelly Goodwin to hire him for a $100,000+ position in December before his term was set to begin, even receiving “paid holiday” time. And this has only increased community scrutiny on his office already.
Sources are swirling that Randolph may have even talked with his contacts at the Sentinel, which would fit his pattern of discussing party affairs. Many members have to find out what is going on with the party through whatever headlines he gets himself into, as Randolph has blocked many members of his own party, refusing to communicate with them at all.
If true, it’s just the latest sign that Randolph is not ready for prime time.
