THE RECALL OF DORIS ALLEN : Novice Victor Is ‘Loyal Republican’ : Profile: New Assemblyman Scott Baugh credits conservative philosophy for his success.

The newest member of the California Assembly is a baby-faced political novice who won his seat with a strong assist from some of the state’s most powerful Republican leaders.

Scott Baugh, a Huntington Beach resident and the most conservative candidate in the contest to replace Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress), swept to victory Tuesday on the strength of what his supporters called his status as a “loyal Republican”--a none-too-subtle jab at his predecessor. A relaxed and confident Baugh claimed the win just after 9:30 p.m., addressing a crowd of party luminaries in a hotel ballroom here.

“Eight weeks ago, it really was ‘Scott Who?’ ” Baugh acknowledged. “But based on our strategy to carry out the message of conservative philosophy . . . plus the work of hundreds of volunteers, that’s how we got a victory tonight.”

“Scott personifies the youthful commitment to the Reagan revolution that continues in our party,” said Thomas A. Fuentes, chairman of the Orange County Republican Party. “He is articulate and professional and offers the kind of new leadership that continues to revitalize the party.”

The results capped a heady few weeks for Baugh, whose views gained him the support of many powerful Republican officials, including Gov. Pete Wilson. Baugh also won endorsements during the campaign from the Orange County Republican Central Committee, the county’s congressional delegation and dozens of state legislators.

Given that support, many Republican observers believed that if the recall against Allen were successful, Baugh’s victory in the replacement contest would be virtually assured, particularly after the withdrawal two weeks ago of his main GOP competitor, businesswoman Haydee Tillotson.

Tillotson, the best-funded candidate in the replacement race, was persuaded to quit by local party leaders who feared that a split GOP in the heavily Republican district might allow the lone Democrat, Linda Moulton-Patterson, to slip through to victory. Tillotson agreed to withdraw, but pointedly did not endorse Baugh. Her name remained on the ballot.

Other candidates in Tuesday’s election were Republicans Shirley Carey, a nurse and school trustee, and Don MacAllister, a former Huntington Beach mayor.

The fourth of five brothers, Baugh, 33, grew up in Redding, Calif. His father, who built a small linen and industrial supply company into a highly successful business, now grows alfalfa on a farm near the Oregon border; his mother is a homemaker. Both have spent the final days of the campaign working in their son’s headquarters.

An attorney for Union Pacific Railroad, Baugh had never before run for political office. But in August he met Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach), who was searching for a candidate with similar political views to support in the replacement election. Baugh fit the bill.

Baugh describes himself as a Reagan conservative who believes in a free market system and limited government. He supports school vouchers and favors banning welfare funds for teen-age mothers if their parents are capable of taking care of them. He is against government funding for abortions and what he calls “any further restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms.”

The strategy for Baugh’s successful campaign, he has said, was to mobilize the county’s conservative voters, including “Christian forces, the pro-life community and the pro-gun community.”

Unlike the maverick assemblywoman he replaced, Baugh seems likely to dance with those who brought him.

“This seat is for a state office to help move a Republican agenda, and the people who want to move that Republican agenda have endorsed me because they believe I am the best candidate,” Baugh said during the campaign.

But Baugh may soon have to turn his attention to a task less pleasant than the current victory celebration. The Orange County district attorney’s office said Tuesday it is investigating Baugh’s ties to former Democratic candidate Laurie Campbell, who was booted off the ballot for filing falsified nomination papers, and Baugh’s campaign finance reports.

Democrats have charged that the Huntington Beach woman’s candidacy was instigated by one or more Republican leaders to dilute the potential vote for Moulton-Patterson, a former Huntington Beach mayor and council member who was the only other Democrat in the race.

Republican Party leaders have denied the charges, saying they are based on supposition.

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Profile: Scott Baugh

Age: 33

Residence: Huntington Beach

Family: Single

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Liberty University, Virginia; law degree, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento

Political affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Attorney for Union Pacific Railroad; newly elected member of the California Assembly, 67th District

Source: Scott Baugh

Researched by REBECCA TROUNSON / Los Angeles Times