Popejoy Backs Statewide Campaign Reforms : Legislation: Former county chief executive officer, speaking at news conference, says ballot measure would encourage political newcomers by limiting incumbents’ ability to amass huge war chests.

Former County Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy joined several government reform advocates Wednesday in endorsing a statewide ballot measure that would radically alter how campaigns are financed.

The California Political Reform Act would limit the amount of money that candidates could collect, as well as ban contributions from some lobbyists and restrict the ability of incumbents to accumulate vast campaign war chests.

Backers hope to place the initiative on the November, 1996, ballot. They have already collected half of the 600,000 signatures needed and have until mid-January to get the remainder.

Popejoy, speaking at a news conference Wednesday, said that current campaign rules discourage newcomers from seeking political office because incumbents can amass huge war chests.

“It’s an uneven playing field,” he said. “The way it stands now, the incumbents have such an advantage.”

During his five-month stint earlier this year as county chief, Popejoy said, he encountered many residents who felt alienated from the political process, believing “they couldn’t make a difference.”

The changes proposed in the reform act “would attract more candidates,” he said. “I’m not saying I want to throw out everyone in office now . . . but I think there needs to be a chance for other talented people to come in.”

Other activists echoed Popejoy.

“This would bring us to a more grass-roots level,” said Shirley L. Grindle, a longtime Orange County political reform advocate. “We don’t want it to be about who has the biggest check.”

The California Political Reform Act would limit individual contributions to $250 for legislative races and $500 for statewide races. It would also establish voluntary spending limits that range from $300,000 for an Assembly candidate to $12 million for those seeking the governorship.

Under the proposed rules, candidates who agreed to abide by the spending limits could double the contributions they receive from individuals.

Cities, counties and special districts that have not enacted their own campaign reform measures would also be covered by the act.

The ballot measure would ban candidate-to-candidate transfers as well as off-year fund raising. Lobbyists would be prohibited from making contributions to lawmakers they are trying to influence on specific legislation.

Others who endorsed the measure Wednesday included Bill Mitchell, chairman of Orange County Common Cause; Connie Haddad, president of the Orange County League of Women Voters; and Walter G. Gerken, the former chairman of Pacific Mutual Life Insurance.

On another topic, Popejoy expressed concerns about the work of the Orange County Charter Commission, which is examining ways to reform county government.

The commission was formed shortly after the county’s Dec. 6 bankruptcy filing. The goal is to make government more efficient and accountable to the public.

So far, the commission has agreed on several proposed changes, including limiting supervisors to two four-year terms and making some top county jobs such as treasurer and auditor appointed rather than elected positions. But the commission rejected a proposal to significantly slash supervisors’ pay and responsibilities.

“It doesn’t appear that they are recommending real change,” Popejoy said.