Monday, May 21, 2018
Bitcoin Crops Up In Election Battle In Orange County
An election battle in the 45th Congressional District--which encompasses much of Orange County--has erupted, with one of the candidates support for Bitcoin at the center of some election ads. Four Democrats are looking to run in the 45th district against current incumbent Republican Mimi Walters--including David Min (former SEC enforcement attorney and UC Irvine law professor); Brian Forde (former White House senior technology adviser and Bitcoin enthusiast); Kia Hamadanchy (former legislative assistant); and Katie Porter (also a UC Irvine law professor). According to reports, recent TV ads run by Min have attacked Forde over his support for Bitcoin, and specifically for receiving donations from such Bitcoin investors as Brock Pierce, who has deep ties to LA's technology community. Brian Forde has been an enthusiastic supporter of the technology industry in Orange County, quoting its strength in such companies like Broadcom and Blizzard Entertainment; he also was director of digital currency at MIT's Media Lab and an advisor in the Obama White House.