Four Races to Watch in the Fall : 72nd Assembly District

The combatants: Assemblyman Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) faces a political newcomer in Democrat Tom Umberg. Incumbents are usually safe, but Democrats consider this race one of their best chances this year to unseat a Republican because Pringle is sitting in the only district in Orange County that is not dominated by GOP voters. Key issues: This district includes some of the county’s most notorious drug and gang neighborhoods, so both candidates are fighting hard for the title of crime fighter. Umberg has attacked Pringle for his connection to the hiring of uniformed guards at polling places in his 1988 campaign. Pringle calls Umberg a carpetbagger for moving into the area so he could run for office.

Outlook: Look for a close and muddy campaign. Also, watch how the candidates appeal to minority communities since this district the county’s largest Latino and Vietnamese communities.

Campaign funds as of 6/30:

Pringle: $103,000

Umberg: $24,000

District Attorney

The combatants: James G. Enright, the chief deputy, is taking on his boss-by-appointment, Michael R. Cappizzi, who was the protege of longtime Dist. Atty. Cecil Hicks, have been adversaries within the office for years. Enright was second-in-command as chief deputy, but Capizzi wielded all the power as Hick’s right-hand man. Most of the staff backs Capizzi, who was appointed district attorney by county supervisors in January.

Key issue: Enright is trying to depict Capizzi as the politician’s choice, claiming that Hicks and Capizzi engineered Capizzi’s appointment. Capizzi said he will run only on his record and not attack Enright during the campaign.

Outlook: Most court house observers see Capizzi as being hard to beat, but they say Enright’s surprisingly strong showing in the June primary might give him momentum.

Campaign funds as of 6/30:

Enright: $18,102

Capizzi: $140.541

County Supervisor, District 2

The combatants: Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder faces a tenacious but underfunded challenge from Westminster Councilwoman Joy L. Neugebauer. Wieder has won the endorsement of local conservative Republican clubs; one reason was her recent opposition to Measure M, the proposed transportation sales tax. Since she supported the measure until June, that could leave her open to charges of inconsistency from Neugebauer, who has always opposed it.

Key issue: Wieder. She took a beating in a 1988 congressional race after she was caught lying about her resume. Neugebauer will try to capitalize on that. The two candidates also differ on abortion: Neugebauer calls herself “pro-life,” while an upcoming Wieder fund-raiser bills the supervisor as the county’s “only Republican pro-choice candidate.”

Outlook: Wieder holds the reins. If she stays out of trouble, she’s the favorite.

Campaign funds as of 6/30:

Neugebauer: $3,014

Wieder: $15,812

County Superintendent of Schools

The combatants: Longtime incumbent Robert D. Peterson faces an upstart effort by political neophyte John F. Dean, a Whittier College Professor. Dean has tapped resentment toward Peterson, but the incumbent is a scrappy and experienced politician.

Key issue: Money. Both campaigns are running on fumes, and each candidate has been forced to dip into his personal accounts: Peterson has spent $20,000 of his own cash, Dean has contributed $30,000 to his own campaign. With such an obscure office, whoever has more money will have a big edge.

Outlook: They’re scheduled to meet face to face in a forum at the Irvine Hilton on Oct. 10. Look for tough campaigning all the way to Election Day. Campaign funds as of 6/30:

Peterson: $2,266

Dean: $10,439