ORANGE COUNTY VOICES : Democrats Make a Comeback : The 1990 election gave the party new hope, and if its state leaders make an investment in the county now it can become stronger yet.

Orange County once again has two political parties.

Although the two-party system can be taken for granted in most of America, that hasn’t been the case in Orange County for the past four years. To active Democrats here, it seemed it was easier to have a two-party system in Poland, Czechoslavakia or even in Nicaragua.

All that changed on Nov. 6. Tom Umberg, a Democrat and former assistant U.S. attorney, defeated Republican Assemblyman Curt Pringle of Garden Grove. With Umberg’s victory, the Democratic Party of Orange County is back.

In fact, almost all the Democrats on the local ballot ran a little stronger than expected. Because many voters are upset with incumbents and because the Democratic message of fairness is commanding the agenda, Orange County’s Republican incumbents did not do as well this year as they did in 1986 and 1988.

The incumbent I ran against, Assemblyman Gil Ferguson of Newport Beach, came in 8% below his 1986 margin of victory. And that was against a Democrat who barely campaigned. The Democratic opponent of Rep. Robert K. Dornan of Garden Grove withdrew from active campaigning yet still received more than 42% of the vote.

In Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Stanton, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and throughout Orange County, Democrats ran at or near the top of the balloting in elections for city council, school board and community college districts.

The Democrats ran better than expected despite the fact that the Republicans were able to call in President Bush, Vice President Dan Quayle and former President Ronald Reagan. The Orange County Republican Party raised and spent more in 1990 than the local Democratic Party has spent all together during the last decade.

Despite all the money and all those heavy hitters, the Republicans lost ground. And after four years of wandering in Orange County’s political wilderness, local Democrats now have every reason to look forward to the future--a future that can be brighter if the lessons of 1990 are understood and strengthened.

We have to find and encourage more Tom Umbergs to run. Umberg brought just the right blend of mainstream politics, ideal credentials and aggressive personal campaigning and fund-raising to his effort.

Local Democrats have to expand the party’s fund-raising base within the county. In 1990 the Democratic Foundation contributed $10,000 directly to Umberg, and its members raised another $50,000 for him. Impressive, but a drop in the bucket compared to what local Republicans raised. The foundation must add significantly to its active membership.

Our Central Committee must get its act together. It needs to develop a consistent source of modest contributors. It also needs to establish and support a countywide operation to keep competitive, register Democrats and turn them out. We also need a full-time professional staff.

We must have successful business, professional and political leaders take the Democratic message of fairness, personal choice and environmental protection to the community and to the media, effectively and often. One of the major advantages of a two-party system is having another point of view expressed. That’s been lacking in Republican Orange County.

We also need help. The Republican State Party invested heavily in this county in 1990. Orange County is now expected to deliver the state to Republican candidates for President, governor and U.S. Senate. In 1992, the U.S. presidency and both Senate seats will be up. An investment into the county now by California’s Democratic leaders will make us more competitive.

The 1990 election has given Democrats new pride, resolve and encouragement. It’s a new beginning for us, and a healthier political climate for Orange County.