12 Legislators Getting Jump on Financing ’88 Campaigns

Preparing for battle a full year before the next round of elections, a dozen state legislators from Orange County spent the first six months of 1987 paying off debts, organizing their forces and building campaign war chests for 1988.

The eight Assembly members and four senators collected more than $747,000 and spent more than $895,000 on campaign-related business between Jan. 1 and June 30, according to campaign finance reports filed within the last week with the secretary of state.

The only other legislator with a constituency in Orange County is newly elected Sen. Cecil Green (D-Norwalk), who raised $2.1 million for his special election campaign in the 33rd Senate District earlier this year.

Seymour Most Active

A seat in the California Legislature has been considered a full-time job for two decades, and the legislators’ most recent finance reports leave no doubt about the fact that campaigning also has become a year-round endeavor, even when elections are months away in districts with lopsided party registration figures.

Of the 12 Orange County legislators not involved in election battles this year, Sen. John Seymour (R-Anaheim) was the most active fund-raiser, bringing in $140,425 and spending $137,070.

More than half of the amount spent went to statewide Republican groups aiding the unsuccessful campaign that Assemblyman Wayne Grisham (R-Norwalk) waged against Green.

In another key category, money in the bank, Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) led the Orange County legislative delegation with nearly $168,000 in two separate funds. Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach), who has said he hopes to run for statewide office in 1990, has more than $59,000 in the bank.

Several Orange County lawmakers have campaign committees that are in debt, with Sen. William Campbell (R-Hacienda Heights), whose district includes part of Orange County, by far the deepest in the red. Campbell, who ran unsuccessfully for state controller in 1986, was able to shave only about $50,000 from a campaign debt that still stands at more than $520,000.

Assemblyman Richard E. Longshore (R-Santa Ana) owes more than $109,000, while Sen. Edward R. Royce (R-Anaheim) has unpaid bills totaling more than $27,000.

On the other side of the ledger, several members of the Orange County delegation were so awash in campaign funds that they were able to forgive their colleagues’ debts, writing off thousands of dollars in loans made during last year’s election season.

Assemblyman John R. Lewis (R-Orange) forgave loans totaling $114,000, including $20,000 to Longshore and $45,000 to two candidates whose attempts to unseat incumbent Democrats in Riverside and San Bernardino fell short. Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-La Habra) decided not to try to collect $43,000 owed to his committee, including a $17,500 debt from Orange County Supervisor Donald R. Roth.

Expense Categories

The 12 Orange County lawmakers who were not running for election this year spent $895,775 between Jan. 1 and June 30, the reports show. That money was spread among such activities as fees to professional fund-raisers, retainers for political consultants and rent and utilities for full-time campaign offices. Other funds went for Chamber of Commerce dues, political party memberships and donations to local charities.

On the contribution side, several Orange County lawmakers benefited from the largesse of GTECH Corp. of Providence, R.I., the company that last year won the four-year, $121-million state contract to create California’s computerized lottery system.

Pact Awarded by Panel

Campbell received $15,000 from GTECH, Seymour $10,000 and Johnson $5,000. Assemblymen Ferguson, Lewis, Dennis Brown (R-Signal Hill) and Nolan Frizzelle (R-Huntington Beach) received $2,000 each from the firm, which contributed $230,000 to 54 legislators through June 30.

The GTECH contract was awarded by the state Lottery Commission, whose members are appointed by the governor.

Former Sen. Paul Carpenter, who resigned earlier this year after winning election to the State Board of Equalization, collected $78,545 during the first six months of 1987. He spent $98,235 and had a campaign debt of $64,353.

MAKING MONEY, SPENDING MONEY Here is a breakdown of campaign money raised and spent in the first six months of 1987 by 12 state legislators who represent Orange County.

Legislator Raised Spent Doris Allen $49,365 $27,209 Marian Bergeson 36,549 100,866 Dennis Brown 52,587 31,939 William Campbell 117,449 143,477 Gil Ferguson 84,250 47,269 Robert Frazee 15,525 26,291 Nolan Frizzelle 41,865 40,610 Ross Johnson 58,268 35,928 John R. Lewis 55,241 166,010 Richard E. Longshore 54,320 51,300 Edward R. Royce 41,850 87,806 John Seymour 140,425 137,070 Totals: $747,694 $895,775