Bradley Woos Stockton Voters

Looking for voter support that his campaign believes went untapped in his unsuccessful 1982 governor’s race, Mayor Tom Bradley Thursday wooed voters in this burgeoning San Joaquin County city--the last appearance he is scheduled to make outside Los Angeles before officially declaring his candidacy for governor next week.

Stockton--with a population that is about one-third Latino, more than 10% black and contains a fast-growing Asian community--is one of a few Northern California cities that Bradley strategists feel has potential not realized in the mayor’s last gubernatorial drive.

The city’s varied ethnic population, along with traditional agricultural and business support, was courted by Bradley at two luncheon events.

“In 1982 we came close,” Bradley told one group. “ . . . You’ve encouraged me to continue that quest . . . if it appeared hopeless I wouldn’t waste my time and your money.”

“I know people say he (Gov. George Deukmejian) will be tough to beat,” Bradley told his supporters. “You know, if I had stopped what I planned to do just because somebody said it can’t be done, I wouldn’t be . . . mayor of Los Angeles.”