Assemblymember Diane Dixon told a Laguna Beach podcast she decided to run for Orange County supervisor (District 5) to apply her city and state experience to countywide problems and to be part of a majority to get work done.

Dixon said she was not initially planning to run but that the opportunity and local needs persuaded her. “I wasn’t looking for running for supervisor, honestly… But Orange County is an important county,” she said, adding that her private-sector background and time as a Newport Beach mayor shaped her focus on efficiency and public safety.

On the campaign, Dixon cited district demographics and organization support as factors in her decision. She said District 5 has “24,000 more registered Republican voters than Democrat voters” and that roughly 47% of the supervisor district overlaps with her Assembly district, giving her name recognition. She also said several current board members and local organizations have endorsed or supported her, naming Supervisor Chaffey’s endorsement and noting the OC Business Council named her legislator of the year.

Dixon acknowledged the incumbent, Katrina Foley, is a strong campaigner and said the race will be competitive and expensive. “It will be a hard fought race,” she said.

Tom Johnson asked what it would take to win; Dixon said unified Republican support (she expects to be the only endorsed Republican candidate) and turnout will be important, and she highlighted her experience in both local government and Sacramento as part of her pitch.

Dixon said she will remain in her Assembly role through the current term regardless of the June primary and reiterated she plans to continue legislative work while campaigning.