COUNTYWIDE : 9 Candidates to Vie for Assembly Seat

Seven Republicans and two Democrats lined up to compete in the 38th Assembly District elections next year for the legislative seat soon to be vacated by retiring Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills).

Both the Republicans and Democrats will have contested primary elections on March 26 in the district that includes Simi Valley, Fillmore and western portions of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.

Jon Lauritzen, a high school mathematics teacher from Chatsworth, will face David Ross, an unemployed computer software engineer from Oak Park, in the Democratic primary. Both Democrats filed their intent to run for Assembly on Monday, the last day of the extended filing period.

The Republican lineup did not change.

The GOP candidates are Steve Frank, a Simi Valley government affairs consultant; Peggy Freeman, retired director of a Santa Clarita Valley community clinic; Robert Hamlin, a retired sheriff’s deputy who lives in Castaic; Ross Hopkins, a Canoga Park public affairs consultant; Bob Larkin, a Simi Valley insurance agent; former Assemblyman Tom McClintock; and Scott Wilk, a top aide to Boland.

In a related development Monday, state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) endorsed Frank, saying he “has been a friend to me and a leader in helping me represent our local communities in Sacramento.”

The endorsement is important because her Senate district overlaps the 38th Assembly District.

Republican politicians often refrain from endorsements in contested GOP primary battles so as to avoid angering fellow party members.

But not Cathie Wright, said her aide John Theiss.

“She has never worried about the political consequences if she thinks she is doing what’s right,” Theiss said. “She is rewarding a friend who has been a very strong ally.”