Rep. Packard Won’t Seek Reelection in GOP District

Veteran U.S. Rep. Ron Packard, known as a leader in cutting government spending, said Wednesday that he will not seek reelection next year, opening his largely Republican district to a crush of GOP hopefuls.

Packard, 68, said he will step down in January 2001 after 18 years in Congress to spend more time with his wife, Jean, and their seven children, 34 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in public office [and] we need some personal time of our own again,” Packard said from Washington after informing his staff Wednesday morning.

Talk quickly shifted to possible candidates in the March primary to replace him. Among those considering it is former Rep. Robert K. Dornan, who lost his central Orange County seat in a bitter 1996 race against Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove).

Dornan’s daughter, Theresa Cobban, who managed some of her father’s campaigns, said no decision has been made. “But Team Dornan is in executive session,” she said Wednesday from the family’s Virginia home.

Other possible candidates, according to state and county GOP leaders, are Darrell Issa, who lost the GOP Senate primary to Matt Fong last year; Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian (R-Encinitas); Assemblyman Steve Baldwin (R-El Cajon), and state Sen. Bill Morrow (R-Oceanside).

Morrow scheduled a news conference today to announce his plans. Packard said he does not intend to endorse a replacement.

“Clearly, Ron Packard represents a district that is part of California’s Republican heartland, and we expect a vibrant debate among the Republican community as to who should replace him,” said Jon Fleischman, executive director of the state GOP.

The district covers south Orange County, north San Diego County and the city of Temecula in Riverside County.

California Democrats were encouraged by another open seat and intrigued by Dornan’s interest.

“We want Bob Dornan around forever to kick,” Democratic official Bob Mulholland said from Sacramento. “This could be a great race.”

Colleagues were surprised by Packard’s announcement, though rumors had circulated for weeks that the nine-term congressman might make this his last.

“Ron Packard is a consummate gentleman who lends dignity, and even more importantly, scrupulous honesty to all of his dealings with other members,” said Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach), the fifth-ranking Republican in the House and Packard’s district neighbor.

Packard, who in 1982 became only the fourth person to win a House seat as a write-in candidate, has been a key figure in producing scaled-back government budgets, Cox said. As a member of the House appropriations committee, he chairs the energy and water subcommittee and sits on the transportation subcommittee, where he has helped to send millions in highway funds to Orange County.

His voting has reflected his conservatism. He earned perfect 100% scores in 1998 from the National Federation of Independent Business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Christian Coalition. At the same time, he bottomed out at 0% for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and 8% for the League of Conservation Voters.

In key votes this year, Packard voted against cutting money for B-2 bombers and voted to withdraw troops from Bosnia and allow prayer in schools. He also voted to override President Clinton’s veto on a bill to outlaw a late-term abortion procedure sometimes called partial-birth abortion.

Packard said Wednesday that he is looking forward to an active final year in Congress.

“I think next year will be my very best,” he said.

*

Times staff writer Richard Simon in Washington contributed to this story.