Hart-Ferguson Race for State Assembly Seat

Evelyn Hart, in running against Assemblyman Gil Ferguson, would love to be portrayed as the “underdog” bucking the Republican “establishment.” Of course, she can count on The Times for help (editorial, March 13; letters, March 20).

The Times’ opinion of conservatives is hardly a secret. So your thinly disguised delight that Ferguson, a leading conservative, is being challenged in our own party, comes as no surprise.

Hart has held nonpartisan office but hasn’t been noticeably active in Republican campaigns and causes. Suddenly, she’s running against a fellow Republican, to “do things” for Orange County.

It may be news to her, but the Legislature is, and should be, partisan. Politics is about advancing a philosophy you believe in, and defining problems before “solving” them. Our area doesn’t need another representative in Sacramento to solve problems on the Democrats’ terms.

Gil Ferguson is not interested in placating Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and the liberals. He is determined to defeat and replace them. And he’s doing it.

For all her talk of being “effective,” Hart has yet to cite a single achievement in 10 years on the Newport Beach City Council. The fact is, she’s characteristically indecisive, even on nonpartisan matters!

She needn’t worry about any “tough” questions, though; the press has a new double standard for women running for office against conservatives.

BARBARA WOODWARD

Newport Beach