Papen Tells Wilson: Stay Out of My Race

Governor’s Plea--Gov. Pete Wilson’s letter soliciting funds for the reelection campaign of Assemblyman Paul Horcher (R-Diamond Bar) has drawn an angry reaction from Horcher’s Republican primary opponent, Diamond Bar City Councilwoman Phyllis Papen.

Papen said she was “shocked and appalled” by Wilson’s letter to about 800 contributors urging financial help for Horcher.

Wilson’s letter says that Horcher has “steadfastly supported our programs to restore fiscal integrity” and that “losing one of my strongest legislative partners is something I cannot permit.”

The governor should stay out of the primary race, Papen said.

On Thursday, she fired off a letter to Wilson accusing him of “arrogance” in declaring that he “cannot permit” the defeat of Horcher. That decision should be made by voters, not the governor, she said.

Papen said Wilson’s letter is obviously “pay back” for Horcher’s vote on the governor’s budget, which many Republicans refused to support.

Horcher campaign aide Mark Thompson said that there is nothing wrong or unusual about a governor supporting an incumbent assemblyman who has been helpful to him.

Pay Donated--Meanwhile, in a move that cynics might view as campaign-related, Horcher announced that he is going to donate his recent raise in per diem for legislators to a trust fund for an ailing 18-month-old child.

Horcher said he opposed the increase and could have returned it to the state Treasury, but thought it would be better to help Ryan Worthington of Walnut, who has a rare genetic disease and needs a bone marrow transplant.

Horcher said his donation will amount to $241 a month.

Winds of Change--”It’s time for change, new leaders and new ideas,” newly elected Baldwin Park Mayor Fidel A. Vargas said last week as he tried to induce more change by boosting the congressional candidacy of Bonifacio Bonnie Garcia.

Vargas, the Harvard-educated 23-year-old mayor, started his first full day in office by joining a new generation of San Gabriel Valley council members in front of Baldwin Park City Hall to announce support of Garcia’s attempt to unseat Rep. Matthew G. Martinez (D-Monterey Park) in the June 2 Democratic primary.

Garcia, who like Vargas has ties to Harvard, where he attended law school, won endorsements from council members Raul Martinez of Baldwin Park, Cristina Cruz Madrid of Azusa, Fred Barbosa of Irwindale, Raul Pardo of South El Monte, Joe Vasquez of Rosemead, James Castaneda of San Gabriel and Rita Valenzuela of Monterey Park. Several said they will do more than just lend their names; they intend to campaign vigorously for Garcia.

Ousting an incumbent is always difficult, but Vargas said his victory and wins by other newcomers in recent city elections is evidence that voters want change. In fact, he said, the San Gabriel Valley is entering a turning point in its political history.

Garcia agreed.

“There is sweeping across the San Gabriel Valley this feeling that it is time for change,” he said.