Antonovich Faces Foes by Building GOP Base

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich worked Saturday to build up his Republican base in a race for a third term against slow-growth forces and his old foe, former Supervisor Baxter Ward.

The slow-growth advocates were in evidence on a picket line outside the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, where Antonovich spoke to a Federated Republican Women’s candidate forum.

Representing the Coalition for Planned Growth and Responsive Government, about 35 of the demonstrators held signs that criticized what they said was the pro-developer policy of the incumbent. Antonovich’s 5th District, ranging from the Santa Monica Mountains through the San Fernando Valley and into the San Gabriel Valley, includes the largest amount of undeveloped land in the county.

Coalition representatives also criticized Antonovich for refusing to debate his opponents, a continuing theme of their attack on him. The coalition is backing nine candidates against Antonovich, hoping that each of them will nibble away at the supervisor enough to keep his June primary vote below 50%, thus forcing him into a November runoff.

Plans to Debate

After his appearance, Antonovich told a reporter he will debate his opponents at a San Fernando Valley Press Club meeting late in May. Aide Roger Scott said: “We are working on others (debates), trying to fit them in with the supervisor’s schedule.”

Admittedly underfinanced, compared to Antonovich, the coalition is trying to attract publicity for its candidates by using such tactics as the picket line.

In his speech Saturday, Antonovich mentioned only one of his opponents, Ward, who represented the district on the board from 1972 to 1980, when Antonovich defeated him.

He charged that Ward, in his eight years as supervisor, could never push through the reconstruction of the county’s Olive View Hospital in Sylmar, which was destroyed by the 1971 earthquake.

“He (Ward) never could get that hospital built,” said Antonovich, who pushed through the hospital project.

Departure From Norm

It was somewhat of a departure from Antonovich’s strategy of ignoring opponents, but in the interview afterward, he denied that he singled out Ward because he feared the former supervisor might still be popular.

The incumbent said he mentioned the hospital to provide “a viable example of what I could do.”

One opponent, Robert N. Benjamin of Glendale, a Republican, appeared at the session. He conceded in an interview that it is difficult for him to win support from organized Republican groups, in light of Antonovich’s long years as a GOP leader. Antonovich has been state GOP chairman, a state assemblyman and an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Senate and lieutenant governor.

But Benjamin said he hopes his advocacy of “responsible growth” will help him win the support of Republicans with strong environmental concerns.

“Conservation is a traditional Republican value going back to Teddy Roosevelt,” said Benjamin, an attorney.

Stressed GOP Roles

Antonovich made a point of emphasizing his GOP credentials to the Republican women’s group, which over the years has been a conservative, activist organization proud of its willingness to provide volunteers for elections.

He called for a “team effort” and noted that his reelection would continue the board’s three-person Republican majority, which has controlled the Hall of Administration since 1980. He reminded the group that he is backed by Gov. George Deukmejian and Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.)

The office of county supervisor is nonpartisan, but candidates, in an effort to get out the vote, emphasize their party affiliation. And the board has pursued a strong conservative course with policies that closely parallel those of President Reagan and Deukmejian.

One other conservative incumbent, Deane Dana, whose district runs from Malibu to Long Beach, is up for reelection this year. But Dana’s opposition is not as strong as that of Antonovich.