Sen. Carpenter to Seek Seat on Sales Tax Panel

Joining a growing list of contenders, Democratic Sen. Paul B. Carpenter of Cypress says he intends to run next year for the state Board of Equalization seat held for 28 years by retiring Richard Nevins.

Carpenter has made no secret of his interest in replacing Nevins on the relatively obscure board which administers the collection of billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes.

If Carpenter runs and wins, Gov. George Deukmejian would have to call a special election in early 1987 to fill his Senate seat. Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) concedes that Democrats could face an “an uphill battle” holding on to the district Carpenter represents. Roberti said he tried to talk Carpenter out of making the race.

‘An Excellent Target’

But Senate Republican Caucus Chairman John Seymour of Anaheim welcomed the news. “It’s kind of selfish, but in a way I hope he wins it. . . . That would give us an excellent target.”

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

Nevins said the only Republican he has heard indicate interest in running is Long Beach City Councilman Wallace Edgerton.

Carpenter, who was in Australia, was unavailable for comment. First elected to the Legislature in 1974, Carpenter said in a letter to news organizations that “it is my intention to run “ for Nevins’ seat. His Senate term runs until 1988.

Reelection in 1984

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

Besides Carpenter, the Senate Democratic caucus chairman, others who have expressed interest in the $72,000-a-year post include Los Angeles County Tax Assessor Alexander Pope, former Democratic state Sen. Nate Holden of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District trustee John Greenwood, Sen. Art Torres of South Pasadena and Assemblywoman Gwen Moore of Los Angeles. All are Democrats.

Nevins’ district, which includes all of Los Angeles County except Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and the San Fernando and Antelope valleys, is the only one wholly within a single county. Registration in the district is 59% Democratic.

The Board of Equalization is composed of four district representatives and the state controller.