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Goldwater May Run If Rep. Fiedler Vacates Seat

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Times Staff Writer

Barry M. Goldwater Jr., a former San Fernando Valley congressman, said Monday he is thinking of attempting a political comeback by running for the seat that Rep. Bobbi Fiedler (R-Northridge) says she will vacate to run for the U.S. Senate.

“If the question is, am I interested in running, the answer is yes,” the 46-year-old Goldwater, now an investment counselor living in Studio City, said in an interview. “I’ve always had in the back of my mind that I would get back into politics after a break.”

Goldwater, for 14 years, represented most of Fiedler’s West San Fernando Valley-southern Ventura County district. He gave up his seat in 1982 to run unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate. He was defeated by U.S. Sen. Pete Wilson, who ran against and defeated former Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr.

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Drug Investigation

Shortly after leaving office, Goldwater was linked to an investigation of alleged drug use on Capitol Hill. The U.S. Justice Department in July, 1983, concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against Goldwater.

Goldwater, who denied using drugs, said Monday the investigation might be raised by his opponents during a campaign. But, he added, “It isn’t anything I’m worried about. There was never any indictment.”

He said he would not run for the seat unless Fiedler goes ahead with her plans to enter next June’s crowded GOP primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Alan Cranston. Although Fiedler has said she is running for the U.S. Senate, none of the would-be candidates is committed until the filing of nomination papers for elective office closes March 7.

Growing List of Candidates

Goldwater, son of U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.), is the latest name in a growing list of possible candidates in next June’s GOP primary for Fiedler’s seat. The district usually elects Republicans.

Assemblyman Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley Mayor Elton Gallegly said they plan to run for the seat if it becomes vacant.

Charles Imbrecht, a former assemblyman who is chairman of the state Energy Commission, and Dick Dornan, an American history teacher in Woodland Hills and brother of Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove), are considering entering the race.

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