ANAHEIM : Cutups Have a Time With Candidates

As the real Dianne Feinstein stumped in Orange County on Wednesday, several likenesses of the gubernatorial candidate and her opponent, Sen. Pete Wilson, made a daylong appearance at American Commerce Bank in Anaheim.

The imposters were all plump, round and orange.

The occasion was the bank’s fifth annual pumpkin-carving contest for employees, the brainchild of Gerald Garner, chairman of the board.

“The theme is always political,” Garner said. “Last year, we did world leaders like Gorbachev. But during a major election year, we usually pick two candidates in a major race.”

This year, employees were asked to create likenesses of either Feinstein or Wilson. Entrees were then judged in categories such as: best look-alike, ugliest, funniest, most original, best Democrat, best Republican, best carved, and best decorated. Winners received $25 and all participants were treated to a catered lunch.

Jennifer Mikkelson, a loan secretary, spent two days working on her pumpkin. She used papier-mache to create a likeness of Feinstein that won her first-place for best “look-alike” pumpkin.

“I really don’t know who I’m going to vote for,” Mikkelson said. “I just made a Feinstein pumpkin because she has the more creative face of the two.”

Neither Feinstein nor Wilson appeal much to Donna Allen, a loan construction secretary who, instead of decorating her pumpkin, simply stuck two large kitchen knives into it.

“All they are doing is back-stabbing each other,” Allen said.

Although most of the bank’s 60 employees jumped on the boss’ idea, some gave excuses.

“Most people had a great time with this,” Garner said, “but some people gave me stories like, ‘I dropped my pumpkin on the way to work’ or ‘I would have brought my pumpkin in, but my dog ate it.’ ‘