Redondo Mayor Stresses Change in Assembly Bid

Redondo Beach Mayor Brad Parton says he wants to be a “refreshing face” in Sacramento.

Announcing this week that he intends to run for state Assembly, the boyish-looking mayor says he will present himself to voters as the antidote to the professional politician.

The politician he points to is Dan Walker, a 13-year incumbent on the Torrance City Council. Walker and Parton are the only Republicans so far to lay claim to the newly drawn 53rd Assembly District, a GOP-leaning territory that includes the South Bay’s beach cities, most of Torrance and part of the Westside.

“Dan is more the professional politician. And I think people, especially in the South Bay, are tired of that,” said Parton, 31, who had not held public office before he won election as mayor of Redondo Beach in April, 1989. “They want a refreshing face in Sacramento.”

Walker, 51, says that his years in local office constitute an advantage, not a liability.

“There’s just a basic difference in experience,” Walker said. “I’ve had more experience in government, more experience in life, and more experience in dealing with and solving the problems of the people of the South Bay.”

The proposed 53rd District is outlined in a state Supreme Court plan for reapportionment, the redrawing of state legislative boundaries undertaken each decade to account for population shifts. The plan, which will set the districts for this year’s Assembly, state Senate and congressional elections, is scheduled for final consideration by the court before the end of the month.

Much of the 53rd District turf is now represented by Assemblyman Gerald N. Felando (R-San Pedro). But Felando has announced that he will run in a new district stretching from the Palos Verdes Peninsula to Long Beach, leaving the 53rd District seat unclaimed by an incumbent.

Parton, a part-owner of an investment firm, says his campaign will focus on proposals to improve California’s business climate. Among them are business tax incentives, worker compensation reform and changes in the way the state issues permits to businesses.

“Making California attractive for business is the biggest challenge that the California Assembly faces,” said Parton, who moved to Redondo Beach in 1983 after graduating from San Diego State University. “Over the past 20 years, the Assembly has repeatedly caved in to special-interest legislation, which has forced businesses to leave the state.”

In running for the Assembly, Parton will benefit from an energetic, engaging style that even critics find disarming. But he will have his work cut out for him.

Since announcing his candidacy last month, Walker has secured the endorsement of Felando, hired respected GOP political consultant Allan Hoffenblum and began revving up his prodigious campaign fund-raising machine in preparation for the June 2 primary election.

Walker suggests that voters may be put off by Parton’s inexperience and the support that conservative church groups give the mayor, who calls himself a “born-again” Christian.

“There is concern in Redondo Beach about Brad bringing his religion into politics,” Walker said this week.

But Parton portrays such forecasts as predictable and groundless.

He says he will receive backing not only from the religious right, but also from moderate and liberal Republicans who agree with his support for environmental protection and programs that benefit teen-agers and the elderly.

“I think (Walker) will find my base of support is far broader than (his) base of support,” Parton said.

And Parton argues that what Walker counts as his strong suits--his fund-raising prowess and years in public office--are no benefit these days as far as voters are concerned.

“People don’t want long-term professional politicians,” Parton said. “Even though I’ve only been in office three years, right now that’s a plus.”