CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS : ASSEMBLY / 5TH DISTRICT : Collins Again Locked in Tough Fight With Alby

Two seasoned political opponents, one of them with a name recognized statewide, outspoken Assemblyman B. T. Collins (R-Carmichael), are once again locked in battle in an Assembly district located in the shadow of the state Capitol.

As June 2 approaches, the primary election rematch between a candidate supported by Gov. Pete Wilson and a hard-line GOP conservative, brings into sharp focus issues that are playing out in other Republican primaries: religion, abortion rights, tax policy and law and order.

Of these, religion now tops the list in this race. Conservative Barbara Alby is an active member of the congregation of the Capitol Christian Center, a 6,000-member fundamentalist, evangelical church in Sacramento.

A “California Prayer Alert” flyer now circulating in the district lists her among Assembly candidates considered to be “pro-taxpayer, pro-business, pro-law enforcement, pro-family, and pro-life in their political orientation.”

It adds that the conservative candidates “are rooted in the Judeo-Christian ethic and traditional family values.”

The flyer concludes by declaring that the conservatives need prayer for “protection, resources, votes and victory at the polls on June 2.” Asked for comment, Alby replied: “I don’t mind people praying for me.”

Collins, a Vietnam War veteran who lost an arm and a leg in combat, says his opponent “goes to church and tells them I am a terrible person, and they can’t vote for a non-Christian. But nobody asked my religion when I went to Vietnam.”

He originally got into religious hot water during the special-election primary race against Alby last year when he conceded that he had once described himself as an atheist.

A political maverick who has served three California governors of both parties, Collins subsequently watered down his self-description to “agnostic or lapsed Catholic.”

In the 5th District special-election primary, 648 more votes were cast at the polls for Alby than for Collins. But Collins had waged a massive absentee-voter ballot drive to win the Assembly nomination, which was tantamount to election in this Republican-leaning district. “I am working much harder on the absentee vote this time,” Alby said.

Since taking office, Collins has introduced no bills and delivered no Assembly floor speeches. “I haven’t introduced any bills because I realize my bills are going nowhere.” he said, noting that the Assembly is Democratic-controlled. “And I don’t think floor speeches convince anybody to change their mind.

“I do try to create legislative relationships, so it’s going to be kind of hard to turn me down later on. Basically, Irish politics is what I’m practicing.”

Alby contends that Collins is a “good old boy” and a “big spender” who deserved to be kicked out of office.

“The difference is clear,” she said. “I’m a tax fighter and B. T. is a tax spender. He’s been around for 20 years. You can love him, you can like him, you just can’t afford him.

“People are beginning to realize they can’t allow business as usual to continue at the state Capitol. I want to freeze spending, cut taxes, and implement serious budget reforms. My campaign theme is it’s time for a change.”

Collins, 52, served in the Administration of former Gov. Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr., for whom he was chief of staff, legislative secretary and director of the California Conservation Corps

He was Wilson’s hand-picked choice to run for the Assembly after serving as the director of the California Youth Authority.

Former Republican Gov. George Deukmejian appointed him to raise funds for the Vietnam Memorial in Capitol Park. Collins also served as top deputy to former Treasurer Tom Hayes, who was Deukmejian’s pick to replace the late Democrat Jesse M. Unruh.

A former real estate agent, Alby, 45, helps her husband run a home construction firm out of their home. She has five children.

Alby helped organize the Women’s Lobby, a volunteer group that worked to pass a state law requiring parental consent before minors can obtain abortions. It currently is being challenged in the courts. Collins favors abortion rights but supports the parental-consent requirement for minors.

“This is no slam-dunk,” Collins said of the primary election rematch. “No way. It’s going to be very, very close.”

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

* ASSEMBLY/5th District

CANDIDATE & OCCUPATION

DEMOCRATS

Joan Barry, Community agency director

Jack Robbins, Attorney, small-business owner

REPUBLICANS

Barbara Alby, Small-business owner

B.T. Collins, State assemblyman