Effort to Unseat Beilenson Is a Treasure Hunt

When George Woolverton set his sights on capturing Democratic U. S. Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson’s seat for the Republican Party, the Tarzana attorney estimated that he would need $700,000 to pull it off. He later changed that figure to half a million, but the latest campaign-finance report shows that he has not come close to meeting his goal.

Since last year, Woolverton says, he has received about $200,000 in contributions, but his campaign was $36,723 in debt on Oct. 15, the closing date for the latest federal campaign-finance statement.

Woolverton’s attempt to defeat Beilenson, a five-term incumbent who has handily won reelection, gained national attention when congressional Republicans deemed the 23rd Congressional District race winnable this year.

Woolverton says his recent poll shows that he can win if he raises another $100,000 by the Nov. 4 election. He said he hopes to receive a large chunk of that next week with two fund-raisers, including a $250-per-person affair featuring U. S. Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.)

Mailings Eroding War Chest

Most of Woolverton’s money is being eaten up by mailings to the district. He has sent out 20 mailers, many critical of Beilenson’s votes in Congress, and plans to hit the mailboxes with several more before the election.

“Now it’s just a matter of money for him and me,” said Woolverton, adding that he is spending up to 70% of his time raising funds. “Whoever wins the battle of money, wins the race.”

In contrast, Beilenson has spent little time fattening his political bank account. During the last reporting period, covering the first 15 days in October, the congressman raised $5,230. He had $97,020 in the bank after holding a fund-raiser in September.

Beilenson has not incurred the kind of costs generated by his GOP opponent, who has waged a sophisticated high-tech campaign by relying on computer surveys, polls, and the advice of several political consultants. The congressman runs his own campaign and only takes contributions from individuals.

In the other high-priced race in the San Fernando Valley, Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sepulveda) continues to raise more and spend more than his Republican opponent, Robert F. Thoreson, a police detective.

According to the latest state-finance report, which covers the 18-day period beginning Oct. 1, Katz received $71,803, increasing his contribution total for the year to $469,847. He spent $94,666.

Almost a quarter of Katz’s contributions during this period came from his fellow Democratic lawmakers. He received $5,000 from State Treasurer Jesse Unruh, $10,000 from Assemblyman John Vasconcellos of Santa Clara and $5,000 from Assemblyman Rusty Areias of Los Banos.

During the same period, Thoreson raised $31,572 and spent $41,115, bringing his year’s totals to $194,240 raised and $150,744 spent. About one-third of Thoreson’s support this month came from Republican groups and politicians, including a $500 contribution from state Sen. Ed Davis of Valencia.