Has Pringle Just Made His First Move in 1998 Race for Steiner’s Seat?

Forget 1996. The heavy speculation now is over who will run and where in 1998, thanks in part to term limits and the county bankruptcy.

It’s just speculation right now, but the focus seems to be on the futures of Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) and Supervisor William G. Steiner. The talk was fueled by Pringle’s recent move from his longtime Garden Grove home into Anaheim--and Steiner’s 4th Supervisorial District.

Pringle is currently enjoying a run as the most powerful man in the Assembly, but in the volatile world of politics things can change quickly. A string of Democratic victories in the Assembly in November could reverse his prospects dramatically, making Pringle an ex-speaker facing term limits.

Could it be that Pringle wants to come home to a cozy seat on the Board of Supervisors, perhaps alongside his chum Mark Leyes, who is running against Westminster Mayor Charles V. Smith in November in the race for the 1st District seat? Many observers say yes.

All depends on the lingering rumor that Steiner will step down from the board, if he is cleared by the court of wrongdoing related to the bankruptcy, leaving an opening for a governor’s appointment.

Gary Foster, Pringle’s press secretary, said his boss moved to Anaheim only because he wanted a larger home and noted that it would be highly unusual for an Assembly speaker to become a county supervisor.

“Curt doesn’t even entertain thoughts of post-November 1996. His No. 1 priority is keeping the Republican majority in the Assembly,” Foster said. But stay tuned anyway.

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Going after the Democrats: Michael J. Schroeder of Irvine, an attorney and the state GOP vice chairman, is after the county Democrats again for allegedly failing to report properly a $10,000 campaign contribution made to the party in March. The latest complaint was filed with the Federal Elections Commission, and it follows similar complaints filed by Schroeder in May with the Orange County district attorney’s office and the state Fair Political Practices Commission.

Schroeder says the federal complaint is even more damaging. He said the $10,000 contribution, made to the county Democrats by the sister of then-congressional candidate Jim Prince, not only exceeded the $1,000 federal campaign contribution limit but also was accepted by Democratic Party Chairman Jim Toledano, despite the fact that local Democrats had no federal committee registered with the FEC, as required by law.

The money was used by Toledano to finance a mailer the weekend before the March 26 primary, urging Democrats to vote for Prince (who lost) and Assembly candidate Lou Correa (who won).

Toledano, an Irvine attorney who was named in all the complaints, said he is more upset with members of his own party who continue to fan the flames of this issue than he is with Schroeder. Toledano narrowly escaped being ousted by the county party Central Committee in May, and two members--Vice Chairwoman Jeanne Costales and Treasurer David Levy--quit in protest of his handling of the contribution.

“Some Democrats care more for their own agendas than the success of our candidates and our presidential candidate,” Toledano said. “As I have said before, this matter will be resolved.”

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Tobacco Road: A full-page ad in The Times last week, sponsored by the American Heart Assn., listed state Sen. Richard G. Polanco (D-Los Angeles) among California’s top 10 legislators who have taken campaign contributions from the tobacco industry. It was a fact not unnoticed by Lou Correa, the Democratic candidate in the 69th Assembly District who has been backed by Polanco in the race against Assemblyman Jim Morrissey (R-Santa Ana).

“My gut feeling is, I would not take money from the tobacco industry,” said Correa, who noted that Polanco’s support has been limited to an in-kind contribution of computer software valued at less than $2,000. “My wife, who is a medical doctor, would probably kill me if I did. . . . But what Mr. Polanco does is his business.”

Five county Republicans are listed among the top 20 benefactors of contributions from the tobacco industry, led by state Sen. Ross Johnson (R-Irvine) with $47,750. The others include Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle, $30,750 in contributions; state Sen. Rob Hurtt (R-Garden Grove), $14,668; Assemblyman Bill Morrow (R-Oceanside), $14,250; and Assemblywoman Marilyn C. Brewer (R-Irvine), $10,276.

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Leader of the pack: Lobbying has been very good for former Orange County state Sen. Dennis Carpenter. In recent years, the Sacramento deal-maker has been firmly entrenched at the top of the money-making lists for Capitol lobbyists. And the latest figures show him still the king.

Carpenter’s firm earned $632,856 during the first three months of 1996, making it far and away the industry leader (the next closest, Kahl and Associates Ltd., earned $520,000). Since the two-year legislative session began in January 1995, Carpenter has amassed more than $3.1 million.

As usual, Carpenter’s biggest account was the County of Orange. For the first quarter of 1996, the county paid his firm $75,212. Last year, the county paid Carpenter $225,636 to help shepherd through its bills--most of which had to do with getting out of bankruptcy.

Carpenter has reasons other than money to help Orange County. He still is a resident of Newport Beach, traveling down each weekend. He may be spending more time there--there’s much buzz in the Capitol that Carpenter will retire in the next few years.

UPCOMING EVENTS

* Friday: The Ivy Baker Priest Women Federated will have a fund-raiser at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Rosemary and Richard Steffy in Santa Ana. Information: (714) 553-8825 or (714) 731-2584.

* Friday: The Balboa Bay Republican Women Federated will have its annual summer social and 20th anniversary party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the home of Dori and Bill Crosby in Newport Beach. Information: Carol Farinella at (714) 722-0463.

Compiled by Times staff writer Len Hall, with contributions from staff writer Eric Bailey.

Politics ’96 appears every Sunday. Items can be mailed to Politics ‘96, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, or faxed to (714) 966-7711.