ELECTIONS / NORTH LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Final Voter Registration Figures Show Sharp Gains for Democrats

Democrats posted sharp gains throughout the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys in final voter registration figures released Thursday, even in Republican strongholds like Burbank and Glendale.

But nowhere was the Democratic total more dramatic than in the 24th Congressional District, where eight-term incumbent Rep. Anthony Beilenson (D-Los Angeles) is battling conservative Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks).

Democrats now outnumber Republicans in that affluent district by almost six percentage points compared to less than 1% in February, according to figures released by registrar-recorder’s offices in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Of the 333,653 voters in the district, 154,182 or 46.21% are registered as Democrats, while 134,766 or 40.39% are Republicans.

“This should be good news for Beilenson,” political consultant Paul Clark said.

Voter registration figures in the 24th District and other area regions corresponded with a report also released Thursday by Secretary of State March Fong Eu that showed Democrats out-registered Republicans about 2 to 1 since February.

Statewide, Democrats outnumber Republicans 49.05% to 37.04%. In Los Angeles County, Democrats make up 55% of registered voters and Republicans 32.4%.

Bob Mulholland, political director for the California Democratic Party, said his party targeted the San Fernando Valley, and the 24th Congressional District in particular, in a last-minute voter registration push before the Oct. 5 deadline.

“I think the results basically put Beilenson over the top,” he said.

Although heartened by the figures, Beilenson campaign manager Craig Miller predicted the race will be close and said the congressman will continue to wage “an extremely aggressive campaign.”

The voter totals, he said, reflect “the fact that people of this district are increasingly disheartened by the economic policies of people like George Bush and Tom McClintock.”

Greg Maw, McClintock’s campaign manager, predicted that many of the newly registered Democrats would vote for Bill Clinton for President and McClintock for Congress.

“Every new registered voter is entering the political process because they want change,” he said. “Bill Clinton represents change. Tom McClintock represents change. People are not signing up to reelect Beilenson. They’re just sick of the gridlock.”

Democrats also made gains in the 27th Congressional District, where Republican registration dropped from 46% to 44% since September. Democratic voters increased by a percentage point from 42% to 43%. In that district, veteran Rep. Carlos Moorhead (R-Glendale) faces Democrat Doug Kahn.

In the 25th Congressional District, which covers the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys, Democrats increased their numbers by about 20,000, while the GOP added about 13,000 to its rolls. Still, Republicans outnumber Democrats by 10 percentage points--49% to 39%--in that district, virtually assuring former Santa Clarita Mayor Howard P. (Buck) McKeon of victory over his Democratic challenger James H. (Gil) Gilmartin and independent Rick Pamplin.

Democrats increased their hold on the 26th Congressional District in the central and northern San Fernando Valley by two percentage points--from 58% to 60%. Republican registration dipped from 31% to 28%. Republican Gary Forsch is challenging longtime incumbent Howard Berman in the district.

Democrats gained an edge in two former Republican regions--the 44th Assembly District and the 21st state Senate District. In the 44th Assembly District, where Democrat Jonathan S. Fuhrman faces Republican William Hoge, new totals show Democrats outnumber Republicans 44% to 43%, compared to February figures of 46% for Republicans and 43% for Democrats.

Democrats now outnumber GOP voters in the 21st state Senate District for the first time in decades--159,938 to 156,021 or 44% to 43%. That district is represented by veteran Sen. Newton Russell (R-Glendale), who is challenged by Democrat Rachel Dewey.

Republicans also lost their advantage in the 43rd Assembly District, where they outnumbered Democrats 47% to 41% in February. The latest figures show Democrats pulled ahead in registration 43% to 42%. Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) is challenged by Democrat Elliott Graham on Nov. 3.

In the other state Assembly and Senate districts in the region, Democrats increased their leads. However, Republicans retained their edge in the 36th and 38th Assembly districts. In the 36th District, former Palmdale Mayor William J. (Pete) Knight, a Republican, is facing Democratic conservative Arnie Rodio, a Lancaster city councilman. In the 38th, incumbent Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills) is challenged by Democrat Howard Cohen of Northridge.

“The increases are really dramatic,” said the Democratic Party’s Mulholland. “It’s almost like the Republicans have lost the will to fight.”

But Arnold Steinberg, a San Fernando Valley political consultant, said the figures are of less concern to Republicans than dissatisfaction with the Republican Party.

“I think of far more concern to candidates is the weakness of George Bush,” he said. “If the Clinton lead becomes an overwhelming landslide, Bush becomes a drag on Republicans.”