His supporters say that Schroeder's critics resent his success. "If you are on the other side, you're not going to be pleased with people who are effective," said Doug Boyd, treasurer of the Los Angeles Lincoln Club and a 19-year acquaintance of Schroeder's. "Mike is effective."
Despite his many political victories, Schroeder has deeply divided the Orange County GOP leadership, many Republicans say.
Detractors say Schroeder leads a small cadre of party officials who effectively control who runs for office in Republican-dominated Orange County, shutting out credible and respected candidates who aren't in lock-step with his wing of the party.
Former Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach), who retired in 1994, is one of many old-line Republicans who view the Schroeder-led "Republican mafia" with distaste. "He can kill you if you are a politician or a candidate," Ferguson said.
Critics point to Schroeder's central role last year in maneuvering an endorsement vote by the Orange County Central Committee for Carona, whom he helped put in office eight years earlier.
In March, when the committee first voted on endorsements, Schroeder pushed for Carona.
However, the two-term sheriff's tenure had been marked by controversy, including allegations of sexual misconduct and political cronyism, both of which Carona has denied. Many Republican leaders thought it was time for a change, and so were backing Lt. William Hunt, a 22-year deputy who also had the backing of rank-and-file deputies.
Hunt's supporters successfully urged the committee not to endorse anyone in the primary, a clear defeat for Schroeder and Carona.
But Schroeder refused to go down without a fight. He lined up enough votes to secure the endorsement for Carona and called for a second vote the following month. With the committee's stamp of approval, Carona went on to defeat Hunt and two other challengers in the primary with a 51% vote, thus avoiding a runoff.
The morning after the election, the sheriff put Hunt on administrative leave and later told him he was being reassigned as a patrol officer, with a substantial pay cut. Hunt took retirement rather than be demoted.
"It's not about whether a candidate is the best candidate," said Nancy Padberg, an Orange County lawyer who sits on the committee. "Schroeder's whole motivation is to keep his powerhouse going."
