Morrow Opponent Seeks Discussion of the Issues

Dana Point attorney Bart Garry does not believe any politician should get a free ride through a state primary election.

That’s the spirit carrying the young Syracuse University law school graduate in his challenge of two-term Assemblyman Bill Morrow (R-Oceanside) in Tuesday’s Republican primary for the 73rd District seat.

“It is very important to have a competitive race,” said Garry, 28, Morrow’s only Republican rival. “We live in a one-party area, no question about it, but you can’t just give a seat away. Plus, it makes politicians more accountable and forces them to get out and discuss the issues.”

Morrow, a former prosecuting attorney for the Marine Corps, is nonetheless considered an overwhelming favorite to be the Republican candidate on the November ballot.

During his four years in office, Morrow has worked his way into a powerful state post as chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee and wants to play a key role in the Capitol during another two-year term in office.

“This is an absolutely critical time in terms of the reforms we are trying to pass in the Assembly,” said Morrow, 41, noting that tort reform--in particular “doing away with frivolous lawsuits and outrageous damage awards”--will be his main focus.

Morrow, who has an office in San Juan Capistrano, has managed to win over many South County elected officials in recent years with what is perceived as a sincere commitment to representing local interests. Approximately 60% of the coastal 73rd District is in South County, with the rest in northern San Diego County.

“Bill has done a very credible job of building support in the 73rd District,” said Laguna Niguel Mayor Patricia C. Bates, who narrowly missed defeating Morrow in the 1992 race for the Assembly. “I think he has shown remarkable leadership.”

Bates, one of the leaders of a group of elected officials fighting a proposed commercial airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, said Morrow was one of the first legislators to offer support. The debate over Measure S, which would derail the proposed airport at the base, is expected to be a key issue in the primary.

“He has been exemplary as a legislator in the El Toro debate. He has been there from the outset,” Bates said. “He did his homework, learned the issues, and then has supported us in our request for representation in the planning process.”

Garry is also a supporter of Measure S and believes nothing should be done at the base without further economic study.

But Garry, who launched a law practice in the county after graduating from law school three years ago, has also proposed some other issues for voters to consider. He would like to see California abolish the state income tax and cut spending by 25% across the board.

“That’s really the only way you can cut spending, equally, across the board,” said Garry, whose political activism in college led him to jump into this statewide campaign. “Everybody has their own special interest. The only way to make serious changes is to do it equally.”

Garry also would like to see state law changed to make divorces more difficult to obtain, particularly where children are involved.

He said ease in getting a divorce “has led in many ways to the breakdown of the family we seem to be experiencing.”

Garry has attacked Morrow for taking campaign contributions throughout his career from the cigarette and insurance industries and from former state Sen. Frank Hill (R-Whittier), who is now in a federal jail after his conviction for political corruption.

Morrow said he is not embarrassed to take contributions from people or organizations who believe in the free market system and cutting taxes, as he does.

“I believe in less government and less regulations and letting the free market operate,” Morrow said. “These groups and organizations also believe in that system and see fit to support me, I am not going to shy away from that.”

As for Hill, who loaned Morrow nearly $100,000 in 1992, Morrow said most of the debt still stands. Morrow has employed Hill’s wife as an aide for more than a year.

“It’s a campaign debt, not a taxpayer debt, and no taxpayer money is involved,” Morrow said. “I’m still carrying it as a debt and reporting it as a debt. The reality is, Frank Hill hasn’t even spoken to me about it recently.”

Morrow is perhaps best known statewide for his high-profile legislation to repeal the nearly 4-year-old mandatory motorcycle helmet law, which he characterizes as government intrusion. Morrow described the legislation, which has passed the Assembly and now awaits a state Senate vote, as a personal issue, one on which he has support from Republicans and Democrats alike.

“For me, this issue is about freedom and liberty,” said Morrow, who has not ridden his own motorcycle since helmets became mandatory. “If you really get down to analyzing the statistics, you will find the helmet law has not worked, has not saved lives and not saved money. So, if it doesn’t work, all that’s left to discuss is the freedom of the riders.”

The 73rd District includes all of Dana Point, Laguna Niguel and San Clemente, most of San Juan Capistrano, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Hills and small parts of Laguna Beach and Lake Forest. The city of Oceanside and a portion of Fallbrook in San Diego County also are part of the district.

Democrat Robert D. Wilberg of Dana Point and Natural Law Party candidate Catherine Carter of Oceanside will automatically appear on the final ballot in November because they did not have primary challenges.

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Rookie Challenges Morrow

Dana Point attorney Bart Garry, a first-time candidate, is challenging two-term Assemblyman Bill Morrow of Oceanside in the 73rd District’s Republican primary. Voters will choose between two men whose stands on the issues are quite similar, except for their opinions of Proposition 203:

Bart Garry

Age: 28

Family: Married, no children

Occupation: Attorney

Education: Graduate of Brandeis University and Syracuse University Law School

Background: California native; member, Orange County Bar Assn. and Federalist Society, a conservative legal group

Funds raised to date: $4,300

ON THE ISSUES:

Measure S, which would repeal plans for a commercial airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station: Supports. “I think the ideal thing for the base would be some sort of business park. But I think there needs to be more study.”

Abortion: “I’m pro-life. The most fundamental right there is is the right to life. I would, however, make an exception [on abortion] if someone’s life is in danger.”

Gun control: Opposes. “I don’t believe in gun control. I’m opposed to it in all situations. The right to defend yourself and carry a gun is protected in the Constitution. I think that’s how it should be.”

Proposition 203, a $3-billion bond measure to fund construction and maintenance of public schools and colleges: Opposes. “I don’t support most bonds because they create too much . . . debt for the state. This will have to be paid off over the course of 20 to 30 years.”

Bill Morrow

Age: 41

Family: Married, one son

Occupation: Assemblyman for four years, attorney

Education: Graduate of UCLA and Pepperdine University Law School

Background: Marine Corps veteran; 16-year resident of the district; active in YMCA and Boys and Girls Club organizations

Funds raised to date: $63,000

ON THE ISSUES

Measure S: Supports. “I don’t believe that land-use planning should be done through the initiative process, as it was in Measure A. Measure A was a flat effort by the airport proponents to try and ramrod an airport through the county. I think the voters have a different perspective now.”

Abortion: “I am pro-life. I oppose abortions except in the case of rape, incest or where the life of the mother is endangered. If a constitutional amendment is consistent with those views, I would support it.”

Gun control: Opposes. “We should maintain the right to keep and bear arms, absolutely. If you are going to limit that, it should take nothing less than a constitutional amendment to do so, which I wouldn’t support.”

Proposition 203: Supports. “I voted for it in the Legislature. I like this proposition, particularly because we have had prevailing wage reform, which will save us between $350 million and $400 million a year. That allows us to afford it.”

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by LEN HALL / Los Angeles Times