Little Competition for Dymally, Dixon

After enduring sharp criticism in the primary for his dealings with African countries, Rep. Mervyn M. Dymally (D-Compton) appears well on the way to winning a sixth congressional term in a markedly kinder and gentler general election campaign.

Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Julian C. Dixon of Los Angeles is expected to emerge victorious in a rematch with a Republican businessman he easily defeated in 1988.

In the 31st Congressional District, Dymally, 64, faces Republican Eunice N. Sato, 69, a Long Beach city councilwoman from 1975 to 1986 who served a term as the city’s mayor. The district includes Hawthorne, Carson, Compton, Lynwood and Bellflower, and parts of Watts and Long Beach.

One of the most liberal members of Congress, Dymally drew fire from his Democratic primary opponent this spring for his close ties to Zairian President Mobutu Sese Seko, whose government has been accused by the U.S. State Department of being repressive and corrupt.

He was also criticized for his efforts to promote U.S. black business interests in various African nations, interests that have included the firm of friend and campaign contributor Mamadi Diane.

Sato, however, has not talked about Dymally’s African connections, which the incumbent asserts are in keeping with his duties as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Africa.

A former teacher who also was a member of the state Task Force to Promote Self-Esteem and Personal and Social Responsibility, Sato said she sees three important issues in the contest: education, the environment and the federal budget.

“I would be there to help see that they don’t spend any more than they take in,” she said. Dismissing questions about where she would trim federal spending, Sato said the task is to ensure “more effective use of the dollar.”

Although she wants federal officials to put more emphasis on education, she said she is not advocating federal spending for schools. The main task in the environment is to improve the quality of air and water, she said.

In the 28th Congressional District, Dixon is in a rematch with George Z. Adams, whom he beat two years ago with more than 75% of the vote.

A low-key but generally respected member of the House, Dixon was briefly in the spotlight in 1989 when, as chairman of the House Ethics Committee, he presided over the inquiry involving House Speaker Jim Wright, who subsequently resigned from the House.

Later in 1989, Dixon and his wife, Betty, made some headlines when it was reported that Betty Dixon was part of a small group of politically connected people who profited from a Los Angeles Airport Department program to help minorities and women develop business skills.

Dixon later said he was never lobbied by the firm with which his wife had a business deal, and he disputed statements by the company’s law firm that it had contacted him on company business several times.

A key congressional advocate for Metro Rail funding, Dixon also has played a role in national and international politics of interest to his district. He was one of the first congressmen to lobby for economic sanctions against South Africa, and more recently became a member of a defense appropriations subcommittee, through which he hopes to play a substantive role in defense policy.

Adams, like many other challengers, says he is running because he thinks the incumbent has been in office too long and has lost touch with his constituency.

Adams says he wants to deal with the budget deficit by cutting government spending, without raising taxes. The challenger also supports the current policies allowing abortion and favors more funding of public education to combat illiteracy, according to campaign spokesman Ron Evans.

Libertarian Bob Weber and Peace and Freedom candidate William R. Williams are also on the ballot.

Times staff writers David Haldane, Jeff Rabin and Josh Meyer contributed to this story.

31ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Candidate: Party

Mervyn M. Dymally (inc.): Democrat

Eunice N. Sato: Republican

Voter Registration Registered Percent Democrat 157,455 70.9% Republican 45,333 20.4 Independent 14,688 6.6 Minor parties* 4,717 2.1 Total 222,193

* American Independent, Peace and Freedom, Libertarian and miscellaneous

1988 Results Votes Percent Mervyn M. Dymally (D) 100,919 71.6% Arnold C. May (R) 36,017 25.5 B. Kwaku Duren (P&F;) 4,091 2.9

28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Candidate: Party

Julian C. Dixon (inc.): Democrat

George Z. Adams: Republican

Bob Weber: Libertarian

William R. Williams: Peace and Freedom

Voter Registration Registered Percent Democrat 153,077 72.2% Republican 39,585 18.6 Independent 15,289 7.2 Minor parties* 4,164 2.0 Total 212,115

* American Independent, Peace and Freedom, Libertarian and miscellaneous

1988 Results Votes Percent Julian C. Dixon (D) 109,801 76.1% George Z. Adams (R) 28,645 19.9 Howard Johnson (L) 3,080 2.1 S. Honigsfeld (P&F;) 2,811 1.9