Legislature's bipartisan gerrymander generates intraparty battles

Dan Walters
The Sacramento Bee
February 4, 2002

When the California Legislature enacted its two-party, divide-the-spoils legislative and congressional redistricting scheme last year, it generated - wittingly or otherwise - dynamics that are unique in the state's political history.

By designating each party's ownership of virtually all 120 legislative districts, the gerrymander comes very close to abolishing partisan competition. But since nature abhors a vacuum, the redistricting decree sets the stage for an unprecedented series of internal party duels along ideological, gender, ethnic and personal - even familial - lines, especially in designated Democratic districts. That's because the Democratic Party has more internal factions and because with Democrats in firm control of the Legislature, the winners of their primaries will wield real Capitol power.

An overriding theme to this year's primary clashes is the widespread effort by incumbents, even those retiring from the Legislature, to choose their successors. In several instances, they involve efforts at family succession, topped by a very nasty, three-way battle in San Mateo County among Assemblyman Lou Papan's daughter, Gina; Gene Mullen, who's backed by state Sen. Jackie Speier, D-Daly City; and wealthy businessman Dave Pine. Papan and Speier are old rivals for local political dominance.

Other dynastic duels: Assemblyman Tom Calderon, D-Montebello, followed his brother, Charles, into the Legislature. Tom C. is now running for state insurance commissioner and wants a third brother, Ronald, to succeed him. But Ronald C. faces competition from Chuck Fuentes, an aide to Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. Lonnie Hancock, wife of former Assemblyman Tom Bates and former mayor of Berkeley, is trying to keep his old seat within the extended family. Senate President Pro Tem John Burton is backing his brother's nephew, Tim Cohelan, in San Diego's 78th Assembly District against Vince Hall, a former aide to Gov. Gray Davis. And as Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, runs for the state Senate, his wife, Sharon, runs to succeed him, but she must get by Phil Wyman, an incumbent assemblyman.

The Calderon-Fuentes contest is one of a number of Southern California races reflecting an ongoing struggle for dominance in the region's Latino politics. One example: As Assemblyman Tony Cardenas, D-Mission Hills, gives up his seat for a stab at the Los Angeles City Council, he wants aide Yolanda Fuentes to succeed him, but state Sen. Richard Alarcon, part of a rival faction, is backing Cindy Montanez, a San Fernando city councilwoman.

Latino candidates find themselves dueling with non-Latino rivals representing other Democratic Party sub-groups in several districts. Former Lt. Gov. and Congressman Mervyn Dymally, for example, is trying to keep Los Angeles' 52nd Assembly District in African American hands as Assemblyman Carl Washington's legislative career is ended by term limits. But Latinos outnumber African Americans by over 2-1 in the district, and Dymally is facing labor union official Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker.

In the 80th Assembly District, which sprawls over the vast Southern California desert, meanwhile, Gregory Pettis, a gay Cathedral City councilman, and a once-close friend, construction supervisor Joey Acuna Jr., are locked in what has become a bitter tussle. Pettis entered the race first and former Assemblywoman Denise Ducheny recruited Acuna because she considered the 80th to be a designated Latino district.

Two other prominent gay politicians, Mark Leno and Harry Britt, are also vying in San Francisco to become the Legislature's first openly gay male member. Outgoing Assemblywoman Carole Migden is backing Britt and both also must contend with Mayor Willie Brown's candidate, African American businessman Steve Phillips in a major rift between Brown and the city's influential gay community.

Although the Democrats have most of this year's contentious Assembly primary campaigns, the nastiest of them all may be the tussle between two Fresno Republicans, Steve Samuelian and Larry Willey. Sensational revelations - Samuelian admitted that he had been ticketed in a police sting operation targeting customers of prostitutes - and a series of dirty tricks allegations have punctuated the 29th District contest for many weeks.