With Stakes High, So Is Vitriol in Local Races

With Democrats and Republicans in a pitched battle over who controls the House of Representatives next year, the stakes are high Nov. 7 when San Fernando Valley voters go to the polls to decide local congressional races.

Democrats can wrest control of the House from the Republicans if they can win seven seats.

Asta Criss of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley predicted local congressional candidates will benefit from the good feeling voters have about the economy under the administration of President Clinton.

“They have had eight years of a comfortable and good economy, and I think they will want that to continue,” Criss said. “That would be helpful to the Democrats.”

Valley voters appeared to show their contentment in the March primary, when they favored Democratic Vice President Al Gore over Republican George W. Bush in the open presidential primary by an even larger margin than the state as a whole.

Republican activists say there is still much to do. With the federal treasury showing a large surplus, they are promising to cut taxes deeper than Democrats.

“People are paying more in taxes today than at any time since World War II,” said Stuart DeVeaux, a spokesman for the California Republican Party, which is based in Burbank.

Health care reform, education and Social Security are also issues being debated by Valley congressional candidates.

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The highest profile race in the San Fernando Valley is the nationally watched contest in the 27th Congressional District, where incumbent Rep. James E. Rogan (R-Glendale) is being challenged by state Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) in what is expected to be the most expensive House race in U.S. history.

A former deputy district attorney, Rogan faces the fight of his life to hang on to his congressional seat in the face of the challenge from former federal prosecutor Schiff. The district has changed over the years from a Republican stronghold to one in which Democrats lead Republicans in registration 44% to 37%.

Rogan is not fazed by the Democratic edge.

“It’s always been a Democratic district, every time I have run, and they have elected Democrats in every race but for Congress,” Rogan said.

Rogan’s role as a prosecutor in the impeachment of President Clinton has made him a target of Democrats, which combined with the slim, seven-member Republican margin in the House has elevated the race to one of national significance.

Schiff and Rogan reported combined fund-raising of more than $7.5 million as of June 30, meaning the contest will probably eclipse the $8.5 million spending record for a House race.

The incumbent had $1.2 million left in his campaign account and Schiff $1.1 million in his at the time of their last report, June 30.

Rogan, a two-term congressman, said Schiff is out of step with what most voters believe about the key issue in the race.

“Education is the most important issue facing the district and the nation,” Rogan said. “My opponent has been shilling for the teachers’ unions that have destroyed education.”

Schiff said Rogan has been too busy on national partisan issues to pay attention to his district, which no longer shares his conservative ideals.

“Our district needs a representative with a track record of being able to work in a bipartisan way and who reflects the views of the community,” Schiff said.

The state senator said his priorities in Washington would be education reform, helping senior citizens afford prescription medicine and a patients’ bill of rights.

Others candidates include Libertarian Ted Brown, an insurance adjuster from San Gabriel, and Natural Law Party candidate Miriam Hospodar, an educator.

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Though the race is more lopsided, the rhetoric is just as vitriolic in the 24th Congressional District, where Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), a former tax attorney, is running for a third term.

Sherman faces a challenge from Republican actor Jerry Doyle of Calabasas, who received fewer than half as many votes in the open primary. Others running are Libertarian Juan Carlos Ros, a Tarzana executive director, and Natural Law Party candidate Michael Cuddehe.

The district, in which Democrats have an edge over Republicans in voter registration of 44% to 39%, extends from Malibu to Sherman Oaks.

Sherman, who holds a large lead in fund-raising, said he is looking forward to the possibility of having a Democratic majority in the House.

“I can go back and fight for a patients’ bill of rights, prescription drug coverage for Medicare . . . and to fight for more funds for the Santa Monica Mountains,” Sherman said.

Doyle said Sherman has been “fiscally irresponsible,” voting against lifting the marriage penalty tax and death tax. Doyle also said Sherman does not share his support for school vouchers.

“He needs to be fired, because he is not with the voters on too many issues,” said Doyle, who played head of security Michael Garibaldi in the science fiction television series “Babylon Five.”

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In the 25th Congressional District, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita), running for a fifth term, is the front-runner over Democrat Sid Gold, a Granada Hills physician; Libertarian Bruce Acker, a Chatsworth engineering manager; and Natural Law Party candidate Mews Small, an actress.

McKeon had raised $190,000 during the first six months of the year and had $226,286 in his campaign account as of June 30, compared with $11,024 raised and $3,323 in the political account for Gold’s campaign.

Veteran Rep. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills) is the overwhelming favorite for reelection in the 26th Congressional District, where he is not facing a Republican challenger. Other candidates in the race are Libertarian Bill Farley, a Sun Valley business executive; and Natural Law Party candidate David Cossack, a Valley Village therapist.

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Congressional Races

Major party candidates in local contests include:

24th DISTRICT

Republican:

Jerry Doyle

Democrat:

Brad Sherman

27th DISTRICT

Republican:

James E. Rogan

Democrat:

Adam Schiff