37th DISTRICT : 5 in Assembly Back Alan Guggenheim

Republican Assembly candidate Alan Guggenheim of Newbury Park kicked off his campaign Tuesday with the signed endorsements of five conservative assemblymen from around the state.

“I have strong beliefs in the free enterprise system and in limited government,” said Guggenheim, a French emigre and international finance consultant.

Guggenheim, a naturalized citizen, said he came to the United States in 1981 when France elected a socialist president who invited a communist minister into his cabinet.

Guggenheim is one of 10 candidates competing to succeed Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) in the 37th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

The most prominent of his Republican competitors are former Ventura County Supervisor Madge L. Schaefer and Oxnard Mayor Nao Takasugi.

“I’m sure that social conservatives throughout the state are going to support him,” said Steve Frank, a Simi Valley political consultant. “He’s against taxes, (for) pro-family values and understands that government spends too much.”

Assemblymen Dean Andal (R-Stockton), William P. Baker (R-Danville), Chris Chandler (R-Yuba City), Mickey Conroy (R-Santa Ana) and Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) signed a petition saying Guggenheim “has our respect and strongest support.”

Ferguson said he is impressed by Guggenheim’s history of fighting socialism in France, his success in the United States as a businessman and his interest in American politics.