2 Latinas Are Assembly Race Front-Runners

The campaign to succeed Assemblyman Charles M. Calderon (D-Whittier) is expected to turn into one of Los Angeles County’s most spirited legislative contests, threatening to split loyalties among Latino elected officials.

Two Democrats--Diane Martinez, the daughter of Rep. Matthew Martinez (D-Montebello) and Marta Maestas, an aide to Calderon, are emerging as front-runners in the 59th Assembly District, according to political consultants and elected officials.

Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alatorre, a former Democratic assemblyman, said Maestas and Martinez “have the most support.” Alatorre has not yet endorsing a candidate.

But, Alatorre said, he wants “to make sure a Hispanic wins in that seat. . . . It’s important we maintain our presence at the Assembly level.”

Assemblywoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles), who represents a neighboring Eastside district, said the high interest in the race “shows we’re developing a pool of young qualified Latinos to run” for office. “That doesn’t always happen,” she added.

According to legislative sources, Latinos make up slightly more than half the district’s population.

The primary on June 5--triggered by Calderon’s decision to run for the Senate--has attracted half a dozen Democratic hopefuls. Two Republicans and a Libertarian candidate have also expressed interest in the seat, which represents Alhambra, Monterey Park, Montebello, Pico Rivera, South El Monte, part of Whittier and small parts of City of Industry and Rosemead.

Attention is focused on Democrats, partly because they have held the seat for at least two decades. Rep. Esteban Torres (D-La Puente), said winning the Democratic primary traditionally has been tantamount to victory. He cited a 2-to-1 edge of registered Democrats over Republicans in the 59th Assembly District.

In addition to Martinez and Maestas, four other Democrats--Xavier Beccera, Bill Hernandez, G. Monty Manibog and Larry Salazar--have expressed interest in the race. So far, only Martinez, Salazar and Libertarian Steven Pencall have returned their paper work to county election officials to qualify for a spot on the ballot. The deadline is March 9.

Despite the long odds, two GOP candidates--Steven Kipp and Leland Lee Lieberg--have indicated that they plan to run for the seat, one of 80 in the Assembly.

Assemblyman Paul Woodruff (R-Yucaipa), who is overseeing Republican Assembly campaigns, acknowledged that the GOP faces an uphill battle. He said it would be “very rare” for a Republican to win such a heavily Democratic seat.

In hopes of avoiding a bruising fight among Latinos, which has happened in the past, Calderon said he is attempting to persuade Democratic elected officials and community leaders to unify behind a single candidate. But he acknowledged “it may not be possible” to obtain a consensus.

Though praising Maestas’ qualifications, Calderon stopped short of endorsing her. However, it is widely believed that Calderon, whose brother flirted with running for the seat, will support his longtime aide.

It is unclear whether Calderon will be successful, especially since other area Democratic politicians are pushing rival candidates. As a consequence, one legislative staffer noted, there is a potential for a blood bath among Latino politicians.

Rep. Martinez supports his daughter, a member of the Garvey school board.

“I don’t see people voting against the congressman’s kid,” said one Democratic campaign consultant who asked not to be identified. “It’s hers to blow.”

Rep. Torres said he favors Hernandez, a Rio Hondo Community College trustee. Torres predicted that the campaign will be “a spirited contest.” But, he added: “I don’t think it’s going to be a blood bath. We’re not going to kill each other over this seat.”

Calderon, first elected in 1982, is seeking the Senate seat vacated by Joseph B. Montoya (D-Whittier), who stepped down after being convicted of seven counts in a political corruption case in federal court. Calderon is running in a special election set for April 10.

Democratic candidates estimate that the primary winner may need campaign contributions of between $100,000 and $200,000--less than similar contested primaries in recent years. They predict that campaign fund-raising limits approved by voters in 1988 will restrict the amount of money raised.

As the campaign begins, candidates are drumming up support, talking to lawmakers in Sacramento, lining up campaign consultants and beginning to walk precincts.

In listing the top issues, most of the candidates criticize the malathion spraying of neighborhoods, done to halt a Mediterranean fruit fly infestation. They also urge that more money be pumped into improving education, fighting crime and cracking down on illegal drug use.

The would-be Democratic nominees are:

Martinez, 37, of Monterey Park, director of telecommunications for an alarm company, conceded that her name identification “doesn’t hurt.”

Among her top goals are increasing funds for education, reducing the number of repeat offenders incarcerated every year and blocking malathion spraying until more research is done on its health effects.

Rep. Martinez said he did not encourage his daughter to run and that she did not consult him before making her decision.

Beccera, 32, of Monterey Park, a deputy attorney general who formerly was a legislative aide, said he is emphasizing his independence. “I’m not tied to any particular politician.”

He cited malathion spraying as a top concern. “We have to make sure it’s safe.” Beccera said he would also press for passage of laws that would strengthen local anti-crime groups, such as Neighborhood Watch, and boost funds to reduce classroom overcrowding.

Hernandez, 41, of Pico Rivera, has been on the Rio Hondo College board for the past seven years. He is a manpower coordinator with the Southern California Rapid Transit District.

Hernandez said he does not believe enough money is allocated for education in the state budget. Among other things, he would push for additional programs to educate children about the dangers of drugs.

He said that if he is elected he might introduce a bill to ban legislators from receiving outside income. As a legislator, he said, he would not accept honorariums for speeches--a growing practice among lawmakers.

Rep. Torres said he is helping Hernandez because the college board member has supported him in the past. “It’s a question here of political loyalties, and I consider him to be an effective political personage,” Torres said.

Maestas, 47, of Alhambra, has served as Calderon’s administrative assistant for seven years, and has taken leaves from her state job to help organize Calderon fund-raisers.

Maestas said alternatives to malathion spraying need to be explored by state officials. Among other environmental issues, Maestas said, she will emphasize cleaning up the contaminated ground water in the San Gabriel Valley.

Tom Calderon, the assemblyman’s brother, said he considered entering the race but dropped out once Maestas expressed interest. Assemblyman Calderon confirmed he spoke with his brother about the race but said his brother “decided on his own” not to enter the fray.

Manibog , 58, said he is leaning toward mounting a campaign but “I’m not saying 100% if I am running.” A lawyer who was born in the Philippines, Manibog ran for the seat in 1982 but lost to Calderon in the Democratic primary.

Manibog said improving ethics in government is among his top priorities. Among other reforms, Manibog said, he favors limiting the terms of lawmakers and banning honorariums. At the same time, he would support a legislative pay increase of 20% to 25% over the current annual salary of $40,816.

Salazar, 32, who last year lost a bid for Montebello City Council, described himself as a slow-growth candidate. Among his priorities are improving the way the state keeps track of the transportation of hazardous waste and pushing harder for recycling of waste. Salazar is a marketing consultant.

Lieberg, 27, president of operations of a family-run department store, said he has not been involved in politics but was asked to enter the Assembly race by a member of the county GOP central committee.

Lieberg said he is concerned about the proliferation of crime and drugs. But he acknowledged that as a Republican in a heavily Democratic district he will “have to work a lot harder.”

Kipp could not be reached for comment.

Pencall, 30, of Alhambra is making his second attempt at the 59th district seat.

An engineering technician who provided the only opposition to Calderon in the 1988 general election, Pencall--who received about 14% of the vote--said he wants to see how his Libertarian party will fare in a three-way race.

“I expect I will get the most support from people who are fed up with the choices offered by the Democrats and the Republicans. In a lot of ways their policies are similar,” he said. “I hope to get a good deal of support from those who, in the past, have felt there was no one to vote for, only someone to vote against.”

Pencall said he favors elimination of redevelopment agencies, or placing some limits on them. He said the agencies are a major cause of homelessness. He also favors stronger rights for gun-owners and some form of drug legalization.

Times staff writer Tina Griego contributed to this story.