Democrats Won’t Oppose Ally of LaRouche in House Race

Orange County Democratic leaders said Wednesday that they intend to do nothing to challenge the candidacy of a follower of political extremist Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr. in the 39th Congressional District. The follower, Don E. Marquis, is the only Democrat challenging Rep. William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton).

Two years ago, LaRouche supporter Art Hoffmann surprised the local Democratic organization when he wound up as the only Democrat on the primary ballot seeking the seat held by Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach). As a result, then-county Democratic Party chairman Bruce Sumner launched a write-in candidacy.

After a very close race and a tedious recount, Sumner won a spot on the ballot as the Democrats’ choice.

‘Just Not Worried’

But times are different now.

“What we did two years ago was necessary because the LaRouche people were making a concerted effort to take over the Democratic Party,” county Democratic Party chairman John Hanna said. “We’re just not worried about it this time.”

Hoffmann and another LaRouche supporter, Richard Fitz, did win spots on the county’s Democratic Central Committee, but they rarely participated in any of the party’s activities, Hanna said. Fitz resigned recently.

This year, Hoffmann took out papers to run for the Central Committee from the 72nd Assembly District, but he never returned them to the registrar of voters, so his name will not be on the ballot.

Deadline Missed

Marquis, of Woodland Hills, also ran in 1986 for the Democratic Central Committee from the 43rd Assembly District, but he lost.

Hanna said Marquis, who filed his candidacy papers at the last minute this year, apparently saw an opening on the ballot because no Democrat had filed in the primary race for the nomination against Dannemeyer. Hanna said a Democratic candidate had been lined up to run but missed Friday’s deadline for returning his papers.

“He’s a nice guy, but he didn’t have his act together,” Hanna said. “So we have what is an embarrassing situation, but it’s no catastrophe and nothing I’m going to lose any sleep about.”

Hanna said the party will leave the campaign to Marquis and Dannemeyer, who has staked his political ground in anti-gay rhetoric and the AIDS issue.

“It will be a campaign of crazies,” Hanna said. “It will border on the absurd if there ever is a debate.”