North in Southland to Campaign for 2 GOP Hopefuls in Congressional Races

Former Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North, a hero to conservative causes despite his indictment for conspiracy in the Iran-Contra scandal, flew into Long Beach Wednesday for a day of campaigning for Dana Rohrabacher, a candidate in the 42nd Congressional District Republican primary.

“First of all, he’s a true friend,” North said of the former Reagan speech writer. “Second of all, he’s a true friend of freedom.”

Rohrabacher is one of eight Republican candidates in the heavily GOP district vying for the seat being vacated by Rep. Daniel E. Lungren (R-Long Beach), Gov. George Deukmejian’s disputed choice for state treasurer.

Rohrabacher, 40, of Palos Verdes Estates, was counting on North’s appearance to help him outdistance front-runner Harriett M. Wieder, chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, who was endorsed Wednesday by Lungren.

North, who today will campaign for C. Christopher Cox, a Republican candidate in Orange County’s 40th Congressional District, told about 200 people at a rally at Long Beach Municipal Airport that Rohrabacher was needed in Congress to “stand up to the likes of” House Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.) and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.).