Political Newcomer Enters Race : 37th Assembly Race: Democrat Dennis Petrie acknowledges he faces an uphill battle in a largely GOP district.

Dennis Petrie, program director of a Chatsworth home for juvenile delinquents and a political neophyte, has announced he is running as a Democrat for the 37th Assembly District seat held by Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley).

Petrie, 29, is the only Democrat so far to announce that he will campaign in the sprawling, conservative district, which covers suburban areas of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district by more than 3 to 2.

Wright, who is seeking her fifth term, already faces a challenge in the June, 1990, Republican primary election from Hunt Braly, chief aide to state Sen. Ed Davis (R-Valencia). Braly has promised to question Wright’s ethics and her loyalty to the Republican Party.

Petrie, who has never held public office, said Wednesday he will campaign on a platform that includes more money for public schools and stricter penalties for convicted gang members. He also said the state should spend more for anti-drug education programs and for after-school recreation activities.

He described Wright as a “pretty inactive public servant” and criticized her for not being more vocal on the proposed development of Porter Ranch and on chemical and radioactive contamination problems at Rockwell International’s Rocketdyne plant in the Simi Hills west of Chatsworth.

But Petrie, a resident of Canyon Country, acknowledged that he faces an uphill battle in the GOP-dominated district.

“I realize the last Democratic candidate, Jeff Marcus, got 28%” of the vote, he said, referring to Wright’s 1988 reelection opponent. “My plans right now are to get the percentage somewhere between 35% and 45% and continue the wheels rolling in the direction of a possible victory for the Democratic side in 1992 or 1994.”

Petrie said he believes his chances will be better next year because a bitter primary battle between two Republicans might weaken the party’s nominee in the November general election.