22ND SENATE RACE

Democratic state Sen. Herschel Rosenthal of Los Angeles is running for a third term in the upper house of the Legislature.

In June, Rosenthal easily crushed a Democratic primary challenge from attorney William Graysen, and he now faces Republican businessman Michael Schrager of Santa Monica. The district, which includes much of the Westside from Pacific Palisades to Culver City and east to Beverly Hills, is pure Democratic turf.

As chairman of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, Rosenthal has been an outspoken critic of what may happen to air quality in the proposed merger of Southern California Edison Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric Co.

Long a reliable environmental vote, he authored two bills that would have given the California Coastal Commission greater power to crack down on illegal development. Both measures were vetoed last month by Gov. George Deukmejian.

Schrager, 35, describes himself as a Republican who is fiscally conservative but socially moderate. He opposes curbs on abortion, which many Republicans favor, and says improving public education through increased funding is a major theme of his campaign.

The challenger said he is taking his first stab at public office out of frustration at Rosenthal’s record of achievement.

“Herschel seems to be a very non-active player in the Legislature,” Schrager said. “We need somebody more aggressive to represent the district.”

Rosenthal has received the backing of numerous political action committees, including those representing utilities, oil companies, doctors, hospitals, trial lawyers, accountants, bankers, beer and wine wholesalers, developers, and horse race tracks.

Peace and Freedom candidate Margery Hinds will also be on the ballot.

Staff writers Josh Meyer and Ron Russell and Times librarian Joyce Sherwood assisted with this report.

22ND SENATE DISTRICT

The district: Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Bel-Air, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Century City, Beverly Hills, Mar Vista, Palms, and part of Culver City

Candidate: Herschel Rosenthal (inc.)

Party: Democrat

Candidate: Michael Schrager

Party: Republican

Candidate: Margery Hinds

Party: Peace and Freedom

Voter Registration Registered Percent Democrats 200,364 58.6% Republicans 104,349 30.5 Independents 30,890 9.1 Minor Parties* 6,223 1.8 Total 341,826

* American Independent, Peace and Freedom, Libertarian and miscellaneous

1986 Results Votes Percent Herschel Rosenthal (D) (inc.) 142,875 69% Daniel Sias (R) 60,418 29 Joseph Russell (Lib) 3,567 2 Abby Kirk (P&F;) 2,715 1