Ward Hospitalized for Ulcer; Some Opponents Cite Setback

Baxter Ward--who is running against his old nemesis, Supervisor Mike Antonovich, in the June 7 primary--has been hospitalized for a bleeding ulcer, and some of his opponents speculate that the illness may be a political setback.

Ward, 68, was admitted to St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica on Monday. On the same day, surgeons stitched up a perforation in the lining of his stomach, said Armen Markarian, the hospital’s spokesman.

The former muckraking supervisor and television anchorman will be released soon, Markarian said. Ward’s wife, Karen, said she has canceled her husband’s speaking engagements until Tuesday.

Ward, groggy from pain medication, was recuperating “very well,” Markarian said. The hospital staff intercepted Ward’s telephone calls Wednesday, urging callers to wait until Thursday to talk with him.

Among Antonovich’s nine opponents, only Ward can claim name recognition across the huge Fifth Supervisorial District, which stretches from Agoura Hills to the Antelope Valley. He lost the supervisor’s job to Antonovich in 1980.

“I think it can’t help that people might perceive he’s not well,” said Don Wallace, a Calabasas fire captain who has pulled in more political endorsements than any other challenger.

“I perceive he’s not strong,” Wallace added. “He’s a little bit frail; maybe this has been a little too much for him.”

Candidate Peter O’Neil, in the television syndication business, suggested that the hiatus in Ward’s campaign could elevate O’Neil to front-runner among Antonovich’s opponents.

“This is not really the way I want to take it,” said O’Neil, who has conducted the most visible campaign. “I really respect Baxter.”

But Kathleen Crow, one of Antonovich’s consultants, said she doesn’t think Ward’s illness will “change things in any way.”

Karen Ward, who is acting as her husband’s campaign manager, said the illness is not a political liability. But she conceded that some people might mistakenly compare Ward’s situation to that of Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, who remains in office even though he is partially paralyzed.

“I don’t think his chances are worse,” she said, evaluating the likelihood of Ward’s forcing Antonovich into a November runoff. “It’s not like he had a stroke or heart bypass. . . . I think he will get right back into it.”

She said Ward’s physician, who could not be reached for comment, speculated that Ward’s ulcer was caused by his longtime habit of swallowing six to eight aspirin a day to ward off headaches.

Meanwhile, Karen Ward is urging sponsors of political events where Ward is scheduled to speak to invite one of the other challengers.