GOP Activist to Seek Bane’s Assembly Seat

Acknowledging that he faces an uphill battle, Bruce Dahl, a 34-year-old Van Nuys businessman and Republican activist, announced Tuesday that he will seek the GOP nomination to oppose veteran Democratic Assemblyman Tom Bane next year.

Bane, a 73-year-old Tarzana resident, is an 18-year incumbent and part of Assembly Speaker Willie L. Brown Jr.’s inner circle as chairman of the powerful Rules Committee. A prodigious fund-raiser, he won the heavily Democratic 40th District with 73% of the vote last November.

Bane, who once vowed he would only leave the Assembly if carried out feet first, said Tuesday that he plans to seek reelection next year.

Recovering From Lung Ailment

He said his physical condition is “very good” after his recovery from an upper respiratory infection that paralyzed him and caused him to be hospitalized for a month in 1985.

Nine months before the June, 1988, Republican primary, Dahl appears to have the Republican field to himself. He lost a bitter GOP primary for the same seat last year by 36 votes.

Brian K. Dennis, who defeated Dahl before being trounced by Bane, said Tuesday that he will not run in 1988. He predicted that Dahl, whom he called “a right-wing extremist,” will not give Bane much of a challenge either.

Dahl, who owns a wallpaper business, has never won elective office. He describes himself as a conservative in the mold of President Reagan and Gov. George Deukmejian and has held various Republican Party posts. He has the endorsement of state Sen. Newton Russell (R-Glendale).

Anticipating a race against Bane, Dahl sought to characterize such a contest as pitting his youthful energy against Bane’s age and inattentiveness.

“He’s lost contact with his district,” Dahl said.

Countered Bane, “I’m better in contact with my district probably than any member of the state Legislature.”

The political numbers clearly favor Bane’s reelection.

The district’s 138,119 registered voters include 75,690 Democrats and 49,689 Republicans. Bane spent $671,602 last year--much of it on other Democratic candidates and campaign committees--contrasted with Dennis’ $11,609 and Dahl’s $7,343 for the primary.

Bane has raised $458,971 this year, according to his July 22 campaign report filed with the secretary of state.

Dahl said he hopes to overcome Bane’s advantages by starting early and working hard.

Said Bane: “He’ll need to.”