ELECTIONS 44TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT : Republican Begley Breaks Ranks to Back Perot for President

Saying he is disgusted with the “shenanigans” of the Republican Party, one of 10 GOP candidates in the 44th Assembly District primary has broken ranks and endorsed Texas billionaire Ross Perot for President.

Roy Begley, a longtime party supporter and activist, announced at a candidates forum Wednesday that he defected because he was passed over for endorsements by Gov. Pete Wilson and the two assemblymen who formerly represented parts of the new district.

“I’ve got to break with this nonsense,” said Begley, 64, a British-born writer and entrepreneur. “My party left me. I didn’t leave them.”

Wilson endorsed candidate Barbara Pieper, and the two Republican assemblymen who previously represented the district, Pat Nolan and Richard L. Mountjoy, gave their support to insurance broker Bill Hoge. The 44th District arcs from South Pasadena through La Canada Flintridge to Sunland-Tujunga.

“Frankly, I’m offended,” lamented Begley, who said he has logged thousands of hours as a volunteer for the party. As a candidate, however, he faces nine other Republicans, four of whom have held local elected offices and also were active as party volunteers.

Aside from making a statement about his displeasure with his party, Begley expects the switch to Perot’s camp to draw voters who otherwise might not cast ballots. “A lot of people are looking for someone to protest with,” he said.

Other Republican candidates in the district criticized Begley’s turnaround as a gimmick aimed at disaffected voters. “It’s simply a method of drawing attention to his candidacy,” candidate Stephen Acker said.

But Republican consultant Paul Clarke said Begley’s move may do more harm than good in the long run. “It’s rather like cutting off your nose to spite your face,” he said.

If Begley did win the nomination, Clarke explained, he would be dependent on Republican Party leaders for financial and logistical support. By not supporting the Republican ticket at the national level, Begley could be cutting himself off from that support.

“You are cutting off a large potential source of help in your general election campaign in exchange for a one-day news story,” Clarke said. “If one does not support the party’s candidate for President, then the party may not support him.”

Perot press secretary Chris Bailey said Begley is the first California candidate he is aware of to switch allegiances in mid-campaign. “It is an example of the frustration people in and out of politics are experiencing,” he said.

However, Bailey said, Begley would not be invited to stump for Perot because the billionaire has not formally declared his candidacy. “But that may change,” Bailey said.