Supervisor Dana’s Son to Challenge Felando in Race for Seat in Assembly

Deane Dana III, the son of Los Angeles County Supervisor Deane Dana, said Saturday he intends to challenge fellow Republican Gerald N. Felando in the 51st Assembly District, which includes Torrance, the Palos Verdes Peninsula and parts of San Pedro.

Felando had announced he would seek the congressional seat now held by Rep. Daniel E. Lungren (R-Long Beach), who has been nominated by Gov. George Deukmejian to replace the late Jesse M. Unruh as state treasurer.

Confirmation Fight

Lungren is awaiting confirmation by the Legislature, but his appointment has generated opposition from some Democrats in both the Assembly and the state Senate.

Felando said Friday that he had decided not to run for Congress and to seek reelection to the Assembly instead. Word of his change of heart has scared most Republican aspirants for his seat out of the primary, but not Dana.

‘Not Pulling Out’

“I’m not bowing out or pulling out because he had a change of heart,” Dana said in an interview. “I’m not going to slow down one bit.”

Dana, 35, assistant director of the state Department of Aging in Sacramento, said he will “proceed as a full-fledged candidate” and will file his declaration of intent to seek the office this week.