Michael Reagan's death reverberates among Californians of both parties

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The son of a storied Republican president, Michael Reagan, who recently died, was memorialized as a stalwart supporter of his father’s legacy.But in his home state of California, Reagan was remembered as much for his community involvement — which was at times so low-key that some didn’t even realize his father was Ronald Reagan.“The cool thing about Michael is you never would have known that he was the son of a president,” said Victor Franco, a Democratic strategist who met Reagan more than a decade ago while Franco’s kids were students at St.

Mel’s Catholic school in Woodland Hills, where Reagan’s daughter was a teacher.“He was an everyday guy chatting up with the dads.”Though Reagan would speak at career days and donate tours of the Reagan ranch near Santa Barbara for school fundraisers, Franco recalls Reagan’s presence during the fathers club’s annual chili cook-offs and barbecue competitions.“We referred to him as our taste tester.

He was always, ‘Hey, I need to taste that brisket, or I need to taste the chicken and make sure that it’s good,’” Franco said.“Even though he had the pedigree of, you know, a dad who was president, he was a regular guy to all of us, and just a really sweet, nice person.” World & Nation Michael Reagan, the elder son of President Ronald Reagan and a conservative commentator, has diedAfter battling cancer, Reagan died Sunday, according to statements released on Tuesday by organizations affiliated with former President Reagan.Michael Reagan was lauded by former state GOP leaders not only for his work in leading the conservative movement through his nationally syndicated radio show, but also his willingness to engage in California politics.He was “a thoughtful and compassionate conservative leader.

Clearly his father’s son, he nonetheless forged his own distinct and influential voice within the conservativ...