CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS / ASSEMBLY : 6 Republicans, 1 Democrat Enter Race to Succeed Lewis

Seven candidates--all but one a Republican--met the deadline Monday to file for a special election next month to replace former state Assemblyman John Lewis (R-Orange).

Lewis was the winner in another special election last month--the one to replace former state Sen. John Seymour (R-Anaheim), now a U.S. senator. The 67th Assembly District that Lewis represented is one of the most Republican in the state--nearly 60% of its voters are GOP members.

The field of candidates seeking to replace Lewis includes two present and one former city council member. The others who paid the $525 filing fee and collected at least 40 signatures to qualify for the race include people who listed occupations such as health-care manager, professor and businessman.

Based on endorsements, the two front-runners appear to be Orange Councilman William G. Steiner and Republican activist Mickey Conroy of Santa Ana.

Steiner has the backing of state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach). He also claimed in a recent mailer that all five county supervisors support him.

Conroy’s candidacy has been endorsed by Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) and Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach).

The other Republicans to file are Villa Park Councilman Harold H. Saldarini; former Tustin Councilman John Kelly; Tracy Gaffey, who is described in candidate papers as a professor from Tustin, and Bill Earl, a Tustin businessman.

The Democrat is Gregory Robert Ramsay, a Santa Ana health care manager.

The 67th Assembly District stretches from Yorba Linda south to El Toro and from Silverado Canyon west into Orange. The special election is scheduled for July 23.