Robinson, Badham Win; Sumner Closes Gap : Rosenberg, Carter Fall Behind in Vote

Assemblyman Richard Robinson pulled ahead in early balloting Tuesday for the Democratic nomination in the 38th Congressional District, while incumbent Republican Rep. Robert E. Badham of Newport Beach in the 40th District was staving off one of the most vigorous challenges he has faced in a decade--this one from within his own party.

In apparent endorsements for the political Old Guard over candidates offering “new leadership” on both sides of the aisle, Robinson one of Orange County’s most powerful politicians and the county’s senior state legislator--was leading Superior Judge David O. Carter by nearly 2 to 1 in early returns for the chance to challenge Republican Rep. Robert K. Dornan of Garden Grove in November.

Badham, a six-term incumbent from the adjoining 40th District, had a substantial lead after an almost unprecedented primary challenge from Nathan Rosenberg, a former county Young Republican leader, enough to prompt Badham to declare victory with only the absentee ballots counted. Later, with more than 33% of the precincts in, Badham still held a 67.4% lead.

Meanwhile, Orange County Democratic Party Chairman Bruce Sumner after lagging early had narrowed the gap in his $50,000 write-in campaign in the 40th District against Art Hoffmann--a Santa Ana technical writer and Lyndon LaRouche supporter.

Professionals’ Support

Carter, 42, had the backing of wealthy young Democratic activists and the Democratic Associates of Orange County, a group oriented toward young professionals. A newcomer to partisan politics, he nonetheless had won endorsements from nine of the 12 Democratic city council members in the district.

But Robinson--supported by labor unions and such veteran members of the Democratic establishment as Los Angeles-area Democratic Reps. Howard L. Berman and Henry A. Waxman, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, former Orange County Democratic Party Chairmen Howard Adler and Richard J. O’Neill--refused from the beginning to campaign seriously against Carter and spent most of the primary season sniping at Dornan.

“We’re very pleased,” Carter said of the earliest returns, which showed him lagging only slightly behind Robinson. “That’s extremely encouraging for us, because the incumbents usually do very well in the early returns and absentees.”

Robinson said he felt “confident of victory” and said he was “flattered that the margin is so wide. It rewards the work I’ve put in for 12 years in the Legislature.” But the real issue, he emphasized, “is Bob Dornan.”

Dornan himself appeared nearly jubilant: “I’ve got Dickie Robinson!” he declared, looking skyward. “Thank you, God!”

Caught Unaware

Badham, meanwhile, was caught nearly unaware until late in the campaign by Rosenberg’s aggressive and increasingly well-financed campaign.

He countered with a round of last-minute mail, fund-raisers and raised eyebrows over Rosenberg’s ties to the est “human potential” program--a movement founded by Rosenberg’s brother, Werner Erhard. That group supplied part of the funding and a large share of the volunteers for the 33-year-old management consultant’s campaign.

Badham declared himself the winner to 9,000 Republicans assembled at the Hotel Meridien in Newport Beach at 9:20 p.m., with only the absentee ballots counted.

“On a personal note,” he said, “I’d like to say the taste of victory is sweet, and the tast of victory in Orange County is especially sweet . . . Now that the primary is behind us, I think the party should come back together.”

Shortly before midnight, Rosenberg still refused to concede. “We’ll see,” he said. “The count is going up. We’ll hold out for a miracle.”

Sumner and Hoffmann, meanwhile, waged a low-key campaign almost until election day, with Sumner relying largely on media appearances and targeted mailers denouncing Hoffman’s LaRouche connections. Hoffmann countered with allegations--scoffed at by Sumner--that the Democratic Party chairman and his chief supporters have ties to organized crime.

Hoffman held a substantial lead in the earliest returns, which included mainly absentee ballots, prompting former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Adler to lament: “Not enough of them cared to make a showing. I’m very disappointed.”

But Sumner remained hopeful, and by late evening, with about a fifth of the precincts reporting, the two were within about 400 votes.

Meanwhile, customer service representative Kevin Olsen had a slight lead over attorney Michael Blackburn in the Democratic race to challenge Republican Congressman Dan Lungren of Long Beach in the 42nd Congressional District.

Elsewhere, in the 39th Congressional District, Orange County governmental administrator David Vest had a substantial lead over Lyndon LaRouche supporter Maureen Pike. The incumbent, Rep. William Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton) had no opposition.

Times staff writers Kristina Lindgren, John Needham, Maria L. La Ganga and Nancy Wride contributed to this story.