ORANGE COUNTY ‘87: a Look Ahead : POLITICS : Bitter Race Expected for State Senate Seat

In 1987, Orange County residents can look forward to a bitterly contested state Senate race that could revive or further weaken the local Democratic Party.

The year may also determine the future of an Orange County political veteran who took some hard knocks in the last year and may be hard-pressed to recover.

Seven candidates have already announced their intention to run in a special election to be held in March or April for the 33rd State Senate District seat. The vacancy occurred after incumbent Paul B. Carpenter (D-Cypress) was elected to the State Board of Equalization.

Democrats hope to retain the seat, which lies partially in Orange County, because the 1986 elections reduced their edge over Republicans in the state Senate by two seats, to 24 to 15. And county Democrats hope to retain the 33rd District seat as it is the only seat they still control in the county’s state and federal legislative delegations.

Republican strategists are eager to build on the gains they made in the last elections and are expected to pour considerable money and resources into the campaign.

Richard Robinson, a county Democratic assemblyman who was badly beaten by Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) in their congressional race last November, has been rumored to be considering the 33rd District race. He has refused to comment on his candidacy, however, and some experts are skeptical whether he will enter the race.