COUNTYWIDE : Challenger Assails GOP Assemblyman

Ginny Connell, a family therapist and Democratic candidate for Assembly, shed her usually quiet demeanor during a debate Wednesday and aggressively attacked her Republican opponent as “part of the problem” in Sacramento.

Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks), known for his hard-nosed, combative style, assumed the role of the statesman during the debate, calmly explaining his conservative record.

The debate was the only face-off between the two major candidates in the race for the 36th Assembly District. Cable station KADY-TV Channel 63 in Oxnard will air it at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 27.

“The people in this county are being deprived of the services they need because of the gridlock in Sacramento and I see you as part of the problem in not making sure the counties are well-funded,” Connell said.

The assemblyman disputed her contention and emphasized that the voters have elected him four times “because they are sick and tired of business as usual.”

McClintock said his principal concern is to protect citizens from the increasing burden of state taxes. “We are taking twice the percentage of personal income today as we were in the 1960s, and yet we are providing less services.”

Also included in the forum was David Harner of Newbury Park, a Libertarian Party candidate. He spent much of his allotted time explaining his party’s views.

“Anarchy is a long way from where we are now,” he said. “I would like to see runaway growth of government slowed first and then halted.”