La Follette Doesn’t Expect Republican Upset in Assembly Races

Assemblywoman Marian W. La Follette (R-Northridge) said Friday that she expects no Republican legislative challenger in the San Fernando Valley to defeat a Democratic incumbent in November.

La Follette, who represents the 38th District, was asked at a luncheon with reporters in her Northridge office whether she expects any seats to change hands.

“I don’t think I do,” she replied. “I think the gerrymandering process has pretty well protected the incumbents.”

Republicans contend that the legislative districts were drawn by Democrats who controlled the Assembly, Senate and governorship following the 1980 election to make the most of their partisan edge by giving their incumbents insurmountable advantages.

The 39th District in the northeast Valley, which is Democratic-leaning but conservative, is considered potentially competitive. La Follette supports Republican Jim Rendleman and has contributed to his bid to upset veteran Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sepulveda).

“He has a tremendous volunteer force that is highly motivated,” La Follette said of Rendleman, whom she called “an enthusiastic, good individual.”

Nevertheless, she added, “I do have doubts that he can defeat Katz, who is so fully funded with Willie Brown’s help and is well-entrenched in the district.”

Speaker Brown (D-San Francisco) and Katz are close allies, which Rendleman is seeking to exploit by charging that Katz’s loyalties are to Brown rather than his constituents. In 1986, the Republican Assembly leadership targeted Katz for defeat and poured large sums into Robert F. Thoreson’s campaign only to see Katz win with 60% of the vote, his largest margin ever.

Rendleman, a Granada Hills attorney and former Air Force officer, said Friday that he is not discouraged by La Follette’s comments.

“You never know,” he responded. “If you put together a good force, you can surprise people.”

He said he has 350 active volunteers drawn from the California Young Republicans, the California Republican League, the Young Americans for Freedom and elsewhere. He said he expects to be heavily outspent.

“We’re not just a campaign for Jim Rendleman,” he added. “We’re trying to get Pete Wilson elected, get George Bush elected. And I’d be very happy if I get elected. . . . I recognize the odds are tough, but those are the best odds to take.”

The other Valley Republican legislative challengers are Beverly Hills attorney Tom Franklin, opposing Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Tarzana) in the 43rd District, and Van Nuys businessman Bruce Dahl, who is running against Assemblyman Tom Bane (D-Tarzana) in the 40th District. La Follette’s press aide, Rob Wilcox, is a consultant to Franklin.