In June 1995, Assemblywoman Doris Allen, a Republican, was elected Assembly Speaker solely with the votes of Democratic Assembly members.[3] Her defection prevented Assembly Republicans, who had a bare majority, from electing their choice as speaker. California Republican leaders immediately began organizing a recall election.[4] On September 11, 1995, recall proponents submitted a recall petition with more than 26,000 signatures, qualifying the recall for the ballot.[5] The recall election took place on November 28, 1995, and Allen was recalled by an overwhelming margin, with 65.19% voting to recall her.[6][7]
Baugh ran as a candidate on the replacement ballot. Baugh was endorsed by Governor Pete Wilson, the Republican Party of Orange County, the Orange County congressional election and dozens of Republican state legislators.[8]
In addition to Baugh, the replacement ballot candidates included former Huntington Beach Councilman Don McAllister; businesswoman Haydee V. Tillotson; Huntington Beach City School District Trustee Shirley Carey; and Linda Moulton-Patterson, a member of the California Coastal Commission and former Huntington Beach councilmember. Moulton-Patterson, the lone Democrat on the ballot, was married to former 5-term Congressman Jerry Patterson.[9]
Tillotson withdrew from the race two weeks before the election, citing concern her continued candidacy would siphon Republican votes and allow Moulton-Patterson, the lone Democrat on the ballot, to win the replacement election.[10] However, Tillotson's name remained on the ballot and she did not endorse another candidate.[11]
Baugh won the replacement election by a comfortable margin, getting 40.9% of the vote. Moulton-Patterson finished second, with 28.6%. McAllister came in third with 10.1%, Tillotson fourth with 6.56% and Carey last with 4.16%.[12]
Baugh was elected by his Republican colleagues to serve as Assembly Republican Leader in April 1999, a post he held until he was termed out in December 2000.[13]
In the late 1990s, Baugh paid $47,900 in civil fines stemming from violations of California's Political Reform Act.[14]
On April 19, 2004, Baugh was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County, succeeding Tom Fuentes.[17] In January 2015, Baugh stepped down as party chair and was replaced by Fred Whitaker.[18]
In March 2007, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, seeking the GOP nomination for president in 2008, announced that Baugh would serve as a member of his California statewide finance committee.[19]
