5 Republicans Seek La Follette’s Assembly Seat

Lured by one of the biggest temptations in politics--a vacant seat--five Republicans have declared themselves candidates to replace retiring GOP Assemblywoman Marian La Follette of Northridge.

La Follette, a five-term veteran, surprised political observers with a Feb. 27 announcement that she will not seek reelection to her 38th Assembly District seat, saying Assembly members should serve no more than 10 years.

Although two Democrats also are candidates, the winner of the June 5 GOP primary will probably succeed La Follette because Republicans outnumber Democrats 87,000 to 74,500 in the northern San Fernando Valley district.

The GOP candidates who filed papers by Wednesday’s deadline are Robert Wilcox, a La Follette aide; Paula Boland, a Granada Hills real estate broker; Robert L. Scott, a business lawyer from Granada Hills; Hal J. Styles, a substitute teacher from Woodland Hills, and Al Thomas, of Burbank.

However, political observers say the race for the GOP nomination is likely to boil down to Wilcox and Boland.

Wilcox, 24, is closely identified with La Follette’s long but unsuccessful drive to carve the massive Los Angeles Unified School District into smaller school systems. Wilcox has been endorsed by La Follette and state Sen. Ed Davis (R-Valencia), a former employer.

Boland, 50, is well-known in grass-roots Republican circles and has been a frequent volunteer in local GOP campaigns. She won political blessings from GOP Assemblywoman Cathie Wright of Simi Valley and Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson.

“It’ll probably come down to those two,” said Republican political consultant Allan Hoffenblum.

“I don’t think either one is the favorite,” he said. “I think they’re starting even. . . . To be a favorite, you’d have to convince me that one has significant name identification over the other. I don’t think that’s the case.”

Given the short time before the election, and recent campaign reforms that reduce the ability of state officeholders to funnel money to local candidates, the campaign for La Follette’s seat will probably turn on who can raise the most money quickly from small individual contributors, observers said.

“It boils down to who raises sufficient money to put on an effective mail campaign,” said GOP consultant Paul Clarke.

In announcing her retirement, La Follette, 63, pledged to serve out the remainder of her term, which expires Dec. 31.

Two Democrats also have filed for La Follette’s seat. They are Irene Allert, a Kagel Canyon educator and businesswoman, and Gary Crandall, a Northridge computer manual writer.

But the two Democrats--both in their first bid for public office--are little known and party strategists hold scant hope for a Democratic upset in November in the Republican-dominated district.

“Waiting for a Democrat to win in the 38th Assembly District is like leaving the porch light on for Jimmy Hoffa,” lamented one Democratic consultant.

Also in the race are two Peace and Freedom Party candidates, Charles Najbergier, a registered nurse, and Leah Parker, a bookkeeper.