Carpenter Says He Plans to Run for Board of Equalization

Joining a growing list of possible contenders, Democratic state Sen. Paul B. Carpenter of Cypress says he intends to run next year for the state Board of Equalization seat that Richard Nevins is relinquishing after 28 years.

Carpenter, 57, has made no secret of his interest in the relatively obscure but powerful board, which administers the collection of billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes.

Nevins predicted the race to replace him in the $72,000-a-year post would be spirited and speculated Tuesday that Carpenter may be a formidable candidate.

“I think it is going to be fought with 10-second TV spots,” Nevins said, adding that Carpenter told him several weeks ago he is definitely running. “I’d say he (Carpenter) is the leading candidate right now.”

“Unless something completely off the wall happens, he (Carpenter) is definitely going to go for it,” added Don Foltz, an aide to Carpenter.

Carpenter, who was in Australia, was unavailable for comment. But the Senate Democratic Caucus chairman said in a letter to news organizations that “it is my intention to run” for Nevins’ seat. His Senate term does not expire until 1988.

Carpenter, who finished third in the 1982 Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate, won reelection last year in a closer-than-expected race against muffler shop owner Martha Vineyard, a former Hawaiian Gardens City Council member.

Besides Carpenter, others who have expressed interest in the post include Los Angeles County Tax Assessor Alexander Pope, former Democratic state Sen. Nate Holden and Los Angeles Unified school trustee John Greenwood.

Sen. Art Torres (D-Pasadena) and Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) have also been mentioned as potential candidates. All are Democrats.

Nevins said the only Republican he has heard indicate interest in running is Long Beach City Councilman Wallace Edgerton. “I’m sure there will be other candidates. . . . We keep getting phone calls all the time,” he said.

The Board of Equalization is composed of four district representatives and the state controller. Nevins’ district--which includes all of Los Angeles County except Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and the San Fernando and Antelope valleys--is the only district wholly within a single county. Democrats hold a 59% registration edge in the district.

Should Carpenter run and win, Gov. George Deukmejian would have to call a special election in early 1987 to fill Carpenter’s Senate seat. Senate President pro Tempore David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) conceded that Democrats may face an “an uphill battle” holding on to Carpenter’s seat if he wins the Board of Equalization election.

Registration in the district, which includes portions of Orange and Los Angeles counties, is 55% Democratic. But Roberti said area voters often support Republican candidates and added that “our record in special elections hasn’t been exactly outstanding.”

For these reasons, Roberti said he tried to talk Carpenter out of making the race. However, Sen. John Seymour (R-Anaheim), Senate Republican Caucus chairman, welcomed the news.

“It’s kind of selfish, but in a way I hope he wins it. . . . That would give us an excellent target.”

Democrats have a 25-15 edge over Republicans in the Senate. In next year’s election, 16 of 20 seats up for grabs are held by Democrats.