2 Candidates Touched by Gun Tragedy

In the first debate between first-term Assemblyman Jack Scott (D-Altadena) and Republican challenger Ken LaCorte on Wednesday, both men touched on personal tragedies involving the loss of family members to gun violence.

At a meeting of the Rotary Club of Pasadena, LaCorte described how his sister and her boyfriend were gunned down by a stranger in the foothills above Arcadia. LaCorte has fought for years to keep his sister’s killer from being paroled.

“It’s not a reason to vote for me, but it is the reason I got involved in politics,” said LaCorte, 33, who is running on a platform that includes eliminating parole and probation for violent offenders.

Although Lacorte is a member of the National Rifle Assn.--which has taken out newspaper ads against Scott--the challenger said he favors outlawing all forms of automatic weapons.

Scott told how the death of his son Adam may have been prevented had the gun used been equipped with a trigger lock. Adam was a 27-year-old attorney who was accidentally shot to death in 1993 by a friend at a Wilshire district dinner party.

It was just one of many instances during the debate in which Scott, 65, one of the Legislature’s staunchest gun control advocates, asserted the need to regulate guns and gun manufacturers.

The former Pasadena City College president was elected in 1996 to represent the 44th Assembly District, which stretches from the northeast San Fernando Valley to La Crescenta and Pasadena.

The race for Scott’s seat is expected to be a hot one, with Republicans targeting Scott, who leads fund-raising in the race with nearly $300,000.

LaCorte, a medical supply dealer who has previously worked for a political consulting firm, has raised about $140,000. The district is considered a “swing district” with about 45% of the voters registered as Democrats and nearly 43% Republicans.

The Republican Party would like to reclaim the traditionally conservative seat, which Scott wrestled away from Bill Hoge two years ago.

During Wednesday’s event, LaCorte sought to portray himself as an experienced small businessman who knows how to get the job done. He cited his posting of the names of dozens of Los Angeles’ most dangerous sex offenders on the Internet.

Scott touted his 38 years as an educator and his experience at handling a $60-million budget.

He also noted that 25 bills he has written have been signed into law and that he is endorsed by every major law enforcement agency in the state.

Although each candidate portrays himself as a moderate, they differ on many issues, including abortion.

Scott is an abortion rights advocate, while LaCorte opposes abortion except in cases of incest, rape or life of the mother.

“What he’d like to do is roll back Roe vs. Wade,” Scott said of LaCorte.

Scott and LaCorte agreed on several issues Wednesday. Both oppose extension of the 710 Freeway, both believe patients should be able to sue HMOs and agree that Burbank Airport needs expansion.

One of the touchiest issues during Wednesday’s face-off came when LaCorte accused Scott of using taxpayer funds to distribute letters he said resemble campaign brochures.

Scott denied any impropriety.

“I’ve sent out pieces that deal with breast cancer and immunization of children,” said Scott.

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