ELECTIONS ’88 : Democrat Straining to Be Heard Above GOP Catcalls

After months of campaigning in obscurity in the 40th Congressional District, Democrat Lida Lenney finally got a headline.

She did it by playing referee to the rambunctious Republican candidates, who have been punching below the belt in advance of Tuesday’s GOP primary.

Lenney has been “appalled at the viciousness” of the Republican political mailers, and she said as much at a recent candidate forum, delivering a civics lecture to several GOP candidates on how to conduct themselves.

“It’s frightening the way they have acted,” Lenney said Friday. “I thought a congressional race would be about issues.”

It is difficult, at best, for a Democrat to be heard in a district where Republicans hold a commanding 2-to-1 edge in voter registration. But this year it has been nearly impossible, with as many as 14 Republicans at one point seeking to fill the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach).

Own Tug of War

Nonetheless, Lenney and her Democratic opponent in the primary, George Margolis, have been quietly engaged in a political tug of war of their own.

Lenney, a Laguna Beach councilwoman, is expected to win, although she is taking no chances. She has been making numerous appearances, talking about the need for more affordable housing, a balanced federal budget and new laws mandating equal pay for working women.

An environmentalist, Lenney founded the Laguna Canyon Conservancy last year to block development in the canyon.

To solve Orange County’s traffic troubles, Lenney said, officials must seriously consider building a light-rail system to carry commuters. Such a system, she said, could be financed with the county’s share of federal highway taxes.

“Paving more of our green space with concrete is not the answer,” said Lenney, a retired teacher who has lived in Laguna Beach since 1971. “We must get creative.”

Cranston Endorsement

Lenney, who was endorsed Friday by Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.), was elected to the Laguna Beach council two years ago.

Margolis, 57, is a Korean War veteran and volunteer worker at the Veteran’s Hospital in West Los Angeles. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the same seat in 1978. Two years ago, he failed to win in the 22nd Congressional District in the San Fernando Valley.

Margolis, who describes himself as a conservative, has made drugs his top issue. He said the federal government should toughen penalties against drug dealers. He also said local government should expand public service programs to educate young people about the dangers of drug use.

As for transportation, Margolis said it is time to install an elevated monorail system above county roadways. He said that would take cars off congested roads and create jobs.

Both Lenney and Margolis said they are spending less than $5,000 on their campaigns.

Also on the ballot Tuesday are two other candidates running unopposed for the nomination of their respective political parties: Libertarian Roger Bloxham, 49, of Newport Beach, and Peace and Freedom Party member Gretchen Farsai, 46, of Irvine. Both will be on the general election ballot in November.