400 Remember Lawmaker Who ‘Wouldn’t Quit’

More than 400 friends, family members and state legislators gathered at Calvary Church in Santa Ana Thursday to pay last respects to “the man who wouldn’t quit,” first-term Assemblyman Richard Ernest Longshore (R-Santa Ana). Longshore, 62, died of pneumonia June 8, just one day after winning the Republican nomination for reelection.

Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) gave the eulogy for his longtime friend, describing him as a staunch conservative who exhibited “true grit.”

Longshore was elected to the Legislature in 1986 after two unsuccessful tries, Ferguson noted. And, though ill during his last months in Sacramento, the freshman assemblyman had continued to work hard for his 72nd Assembly District.

Lawmakers at Rites

“He was dedicated, devoted and driven. . . . He wanted to make sure he attended every session, every roll call, and he did until he died,” Ferguson said.

Led by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) and Minority Leader Pat Nolan (R-Glendale), more than 25 of Longshore’s fellow legislators attended the funeral.

Also at the funeral were county Supervisors Don R. Roth and Gaddi H. Vasquez, Orange County Republican Party Chairman Thomas A. Fuentes and dozens of veteran activists who--wearing medals, ribbons and sometimes red, white and blue ties--mourned the passing of a career Navy man who had fought for their cause.

Brown, who had ordered Assembly business halted for the day in Longshore’s memory, described Longshore as a political foe “whom I actually liked. He had a good sense of humor and was not offensively assertive about his political views. And he was very protective of his district.”

Ferguson said Longshore was “an unusual politician.” Ferguson recounted a Republican caucus meeting not long after the 1986 election when Longshore and several other freshman legislators were chastised for voting “the wrong way on a bill.”

Ferguson Eulogizes

The other legislators came up with an excuse, but Longshore responded with refreshing candor, Ferguson said. “When confronted, Dick said, ‘I was wrong. I won’t make that mistake again.’ ”

Standing behind Longshore’s flag-draped coffin, Ferguson gave a brief biography of a man who was “a true example of the American dream.”

Born in Arkansas City, Kan., Longshore joined the Navy at 17 and served 31 years, working his way up through the ranks to become a lieutenant commander. After retiring in 1974, he practiced real estate in Garden Grove and became interested in politics.

Twice he challenged Democratic Assemblyman Richard Robinson, losing the second time by only 256 votes. He won the seat in 1986, defeating Santa Ana Mayor Dan Griset. In his brief legislative career, Longshore introduced 39 bills and saw five of them become law. They included a measure prohibiting discrimination against veterans and another advancing efforts to construct a veterans memorial in Sacramento.

After an hourlong service, mourners followed Longshore’s casket to Fairhaven Memorial Park, where six pallbearers placed his casket beside a cedar tree.

Family Mourns

During the final graveside prayers, Longshore’s 2-year-old son, David, wandered up to his father’s casket, leaning on it for a moment before Longshore’s widow, Linda, kissed the boy and pulled him back to her lap.

Longshore also is survived by a 5-year-old daughter, Rebecca; two grown daughters from a previous marriage, Judy Raya and Mary Katherine Mashburn; three grandchildren; his brother, Larry Longshore, and his sister, Twyla Hawkins.

Members of the Republican Central Committee are expected to meet Monday night to outline procedures for choosing Longshore’s replacement on the November ballot. The 64 committee members will vote, possibly by mid-July, on a successor.

Facing reelection in a district that is 50% Democratic, Longshore had been expected to face a strong challenge from the Democratic nominee, Deputy Dist. Atty. Christian (Rick) Thierbach. Late Thursday, Greg Haskin, executive director of the Republican Party of Orange County, said party leaders are “going to extreme lengths” to make sure that the selection process “sparkles with fairness” and that county Republicans will unite behind the new candidate.

Added Ferguson, “It will take the effort of the entire county’s political system to take a relative unknown and get them elected.”

Already several Republican activists have indicated that they are interested in the seat, Ferguson said, including Municipal Judge Jonathan H. Cannon; former Westminster Mayor Kathy Buchoz; Scott Hart, an aide to Sen. Pete Wilson, and Brian Bennett, chief assistant to Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove).

Haskin declined to mention any names but said he believes that the list of contenders for Longshore’s seat will continue to grow.