State Sen. Hart Will Seek 40-Year GOP Congressional Seat

State Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) announced Sunday that he will run against veteran Rep. Robert J. Lagomarsino (R-Ventura) this year in a congressional race expected to be among the most competitive and costly in the state.

Hart, 44, the Senate Education Committee chairman, kicked off the campaign at a Santa Barbara rally attended by about 800 of his supporters from the 19th Congressional District, which covers all of Santa Barbara County and the western portion of Ventura County.

“I’m all for tradition, but I see absolutely no reason, after 40 years, why we can’t get a Democrat elected to this district,” Hart said. “As we approach the 21st Century, I think we’re ready for some changes.”

Analysts say each side could spend up to $1 million in what they anticipate will be among only a handful of congressional races statewide to be seriously contested.

The district’s independent-minded voters have given large pluralities to conservative Republicans Lagomarsino and President Reagan as well as liberal Democrats Hart and Assemblyman Jack O’Connell of Carpinteria in recent years. Much of Hart’s 18th Senate District overlaps the congressional district.

The race could generate additional interest because Reagan, whose ranch is in the district, may stump for Lagomarsino, an aide to the congressman said.

Hart said he will focus on aid to the Nicaraguan Contras, environmental protection, particularly offshore oil drilling in the coastal district, deficit reduction and education. Hart opposes U.S. assistance to the Contras; Lagomarsino supports it. Hart opposes offshore drilling for oil; Lagomarsino favors limited exploration.

“Our local congressman does not have a good track record on the environment,” Hart said. “I’m very proud of the fact that I have been ranked as the best environmental vote in the state Senate by the League of Conservation Voters.”

Lagomarsino, 61, a 13-year House veteran, was in Alexandria, Va., and could not be reached for comment.

His campaign manager, Ed Bedwell, said Hart’s candidacy was no surprise because he ran for Congress in 1970--Hart’s first bid for public office--and considered a bid in 1984.

Hart said he has a good chance of winning the race this time because he is well known in the area. “For the first time, there is going to be a level playing field. In all the other races it has been an (incumbent against) an upstart, myself included in 1970.”

Bedwell said Lagomarsino proposed in a letter mailed Friday to Hart that the candidates limit campaign spending.

Lagomarsino has asked Hart to abide by the following guidelines: 100% of individual campaign contributions would come from within the 19th Congressional District; instead of the legally allowable $5,000 limit, there would be a $2,500 limit on contributions from political action committees, and all contributing PACs would have a definite relation to the district.

Hart is expected to receive fund-raising and tactical support from Reps. Howard L. Berman and Henry A. Waxman and their Westside Democratic organization.

Bedwell said funds that have already been raised by the candidates would be exempt from the proposed guidelines. He said Lagomarsino, who has been easily reelected without serious opposition since 1974, has more than $350,000 in campaign funds.

Hart said he would not be opposed to studying the proposal once he receives it. The Hart campaign has about $150,000 in the bank, said Joe Caves, Hart’s press secretary.