Crowded Field Battling to Replace Rep. Julian Dixon in 32nd District

The Sunday church service before election day has traditionally presented candidates with an opportunity to connect with voters, especially in African American communities.

But this year, the pastor of Holman United Methodist Church, one of the most prominent parishes in Los Angeles’ black community, has asked the 18 candidates for the 32nd Congressional District race to keep a low profile. There are just too many factions to contend with.

Within the Holman congregation there is strong support for former state Sen. Diane Watson, whose 91-year-old mother is a longtime member of the church. But longshot candidate Frank Evans III is also a Holman member, and so is the chief of staff of state Sen. Kevin Murray, who is a candidate. City Councilman Nate Holden also has solid backing at the church, which is in his district.

“We’re in a precarious situation,” said interim Pastor Paul Hill. “We could have a lot of friction from our members if we advocate for any one person.”

The contest has proved unusually divisive--within Holman and districtwide--in part because so many candidates are vying to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Julian Dixon.

Much of the attention in the race has focused on the veteran politicians in the heavily Democratic district.

Murray garnered early party and labor endorsements, including backing from powerful Reps. Maxine Waters, Howard L. Berman and Henry A. Waxman. Murray was also endorsed by Bettye Dixon, the the congressman’s widow.

Holden, who has served on the City Council 14 years, has been running an aggressive door-to-door street operation and has gotten recent endorsements from Mayor Richard Riordan and several of his colleagues on the council.

Watson, who may enjoy the greatest name recognition in the race, recently completed an appointment as U.S. ambassador to Micronesia. Out of politics for nearly 18 months, Watson’s campaign got off to a slow start, but it picked up steam after she received an endorsement from EMILY’s List, a group that helps raise funds for Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights.

Among the leading contenders, there is little if any disagreement on the major issues. They oppose school vouchers and President Bush’s tax cuts. The candidates would increase spending for mass transportation and economic development, particularly in some of the hard-pressed neighborhoods in their diverse district, which stretches from the Coliseum to Mar Vista and Inglewood to the Wilshire Corridor.

Watson, 67, and Holden, 71, contend that their long histories in public office have prepared them for Congress. But Murray, 41, says his youth and experience make him better suited to follow in the footsteps of Dixon, who accrued power and influence over two decades on the job.

But all three have been criticized for failing to do enough for the district. Murray has also come under attack for a personal indiscretion.

In 1998, the state senator was detained by Los Angeles park police while parked in his state-licensed car with a prostitute. He is now being criticized for that incident in mailings and advertisements by candidate Leo Terrell, a civil rights attorney.

“He is not the best the district can offer,” Terrell said.

Murray was not arrested, but the incident was reported and he has apologized. Murray said Terrell has resorted to personal attacks because “he doesn’t have anything positive to say about himself.”

Others in the race are Democrats Kirsten Wonder Albrecht, an entertainment attorney; Jules Bagneris, a pastor; Evans, a corporate manager; Tad Daley, former chief deputy of the Global Security Institute, an organization founded by the late Sen. Alan Cranston; Wanda James, a senior care executive; Blair Hamilton Taylor, a businessman; and Philip Lowe, who owns a financial investment firm.

Republicans are Mike Cyrus, a businessman; Noel Irwin Hentschel, a 1998 candidate for lieutenant governor; and Las Vegas resident Mike Schaefer, an attorney.

The Reform Party candidate is Ezola Foster, who ran for vice president on the Pat Buchanan ticket. The Green Party candidate is Donna J. Warren, an auditor who has demanded that the CIA be held accountable for the spread of crack cocaine in urban areas. Wendell Banks and Linda Schexnayder are mounting write-in campaigns.

All candidates in the special election will appear on the same ballot in Tuesday’s primary, regardless of party affiliation. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, a runoff for the seat will be held June 5 among the top vote-getters from each party.