Stakes High in Pringle-Umberg Race : Politics: The battle over who will represent the 72nd Assembly District has become a power play for both the Republican and Democratic parties.

The California Republican Party has drawn battle lines in Orange County’s 72nd Assembly District, marshaling much of its heaviest firepower at the front and raising the stakes of this race beyond the decision over which candidate will represent the area.

The contest between Assemblyman Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) and Democratic challenger Tom Umberg has become a test of power for both parties, but especially for Republicans, who have put the campaign-trail influence of their biggest superstars on the line.

Former President Ronald Reagan will anchor the Republican effort in an appearance with Pringle on Friday in Santa Ana, just four days before the election. He follows a parade of GOP dignitaries that has included Gov. George Deukmejian, former presidential security adviser Oliver North, White House drug czar William Bennett and two stops by Vice President Dan Quayle.

“Everybody’s out on a limb with Pringle,” said Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach). “This might even be a watershed race for Republicans. If you target somebody (like Pringle) and you take him out, that really puts your party’s position forward by a huge amount. That’s why we’ve got to do everything we can to not let that happen, because (the Democrats have) made this a big fight.”

Ferguson was among eight legislators who walked door to door in Pringle’s district over the weekend, with some legislators flying in for the blitz.

“One of the things you are seeing in this race is that there isn’t any other place to be involved, if you’re interested in the Assembly,” said William Saracino, director of a conservative Republican committee in Sacramento that plans to spend more than $100,000 for Pringle. “He’s the only (Republican assemblyman) in trouble of being replaced.”

In such a race, Saracino added, “clearly, (Assembly Minority Leader) Ross Johnson (R-La Habra) is involved with Pringle, and (Assemblyman Richard) Katz (D-Sylmar) is involved with Umberg, and their stock will go up or down in their parties depending on which candidate wins.”

Otis Turner, aide to Johnson, said, “Given everything going into this race, does a victory or defeat take on unusual significance? The answer is yes.”

Katz said a victory for Democrats could be a significant boost because the party has had trouble finding candidates for conservative districts. “What’s at stake is a chance to prove that Democrats can appeal to mainstream voters in Orange County,” he said.

State Democratic leaders vowed shortly after Pringle’s election in 1988 that he would be a top priority for them to defeat in 1990. Part of the reason is that Democratic voters in the district outnumber Republicans, and Pringle’s victory was so narrow that he was considered vulnerable.

But many Democrats also felt that Pringle won the seat unfairly because of the Republican Party’s decision on Election Day to place uniformed guards at several polling places in Santa Ana, which is part of the district. The district also includes parts of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Westminster and Stanton.

Democrats also have a lot at stake in the 72nd District race. But their campaign strategy has left Umberg himself appearing more responsible for winning or losing. The party and its leaders have channeled thousands of dollars into Umberg’s campaign, but the candidate has not appeared at any public event with a major party personality.

The parties’ strategies are, therefore, markedly different.

Republicans are sending the message that Pringle is a vital part of their party’s future and a key to achieving Republican goals in Sacramento. Democrats are trying hard to ensure that Umberg is not perceived in any way as a soldier for the party’s fortune.

Part of the reason for the different approaches is that Republicans have an arsenal of personalities who are popular in the conservative district, while Umberg would be hard pressed to find a recognizable Democrat who could boost his campaign.

“There aren’t a lot of Democratic ex-Presidents,” Katz noted.

But also, many Democrats believe that their candidate in 1988, Christian F. (Rick) Thierbach, lost partly because he was perceived as the hand-picked choice of such Sacramento leaders as Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco).

Pringle has worked hard to link Brown and Umberg, but Democrats have not left any evidence of a connection--such as personal appearances or financial help--that can be directly attributed to the Speaker.

“We rolled out our biggest guns, and that was Tom’s family,” said George Urch, Umberg’s campaign manager. “This campaign is being done by local people.”

Pringle said he thinks, however, that it is the Democrats who will suffer from a loss.

“The message (to Brown) will be very clear,” Pringle said: “He’s not wanted here.”