3 Races Drawing Big Money

Term limits and a political misconduct case in San Bernardino County have placed three open seats on the March 2 ballot, setting the stage for hard-fought primary campaigns to replace two state assemblymen and a county supervisor who resigned under a cloud of scandal.

With no incumbents in the races, the campaigns will involve big expenditures and are likely to be highly competitive. Campaign finance statements show several hefty campaign funds.

“A couple of thousand of dollars [per candidate] is not unusual,” said Michael LeMay, a political science professor at Cal State San Bernardino.

In the two open assembly races, the overriding campaign issue probably will be the state’s budget problem. In the race to replace former San Bernardino County Supervisor Gerald “Jerry” Eaves, the candidates probably will focus on the corruption scandal that forced Eaves out.

One of the most bruising Assembly races is expected to be the battle between Joe Baca Jr., son of Rep. Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino), and David Roa Pruitt, chief of staff of San Bernardino Mayor Judith Valles, who are competing to replace Assemblyman John Longville (D-Rialto). Longville, leaving office because of term limits, is a candidate to replace Eaves.

Baca Jr., 34, and Pruitt, 31, have the backing of two of the region’s most influential politicians. Valles donated $3,200 to her aide, according to records. Joe Baca is sharing his campaign office with his son.

Pruitt leads the fundraising race, having amassed more than $132,000 in 2003, compared to Baca Jr., who raised $97,000, according to campaign statements. Baca Jr., a high school teacher, and Pruitt are battling to represent the 62nd Assembly District, a working-class community that includes Colton, Rialto, San Bernardino and Bloomington. Democratic voters outnumber Republicans 54% to 30%.

In the 63rd Assembly District race, eight candidates want to replace Assemblyman Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), the freshman lawmaker who hopes to succeed state Sen. Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga), the Senate majority leader being forced out by term limits.

In the district, which includes Upland, Redlands and part of San Bernardino, Republican voters outnumber Democrats 48% to 36%.

The front-runner in the 63rd District fundraising race is Bill Emmerson, a Redlands dentist who raised nearly $366,000 in 2003, according to campaign statements. He is followed by Elia Pirozzi, a Rancho Cucamonga resident and real estate executive, who raised $301,000. Mike Morrell, owner of a home financing business, amassed $217,000, according to campaign statements. All are Republicans.

Another strongly contested campaign is the race to replace Eaves, who pleaded no contest in 2001 to a charge of official misconduct. As part of a settlement, Eaves agreed not to seek reelection when his term expires in December. But shortly after he settled that case, he was charged with new felony corruption charges involving a billboard scheme. He has agreed to plead guilty and leave his post.

Longville is considered the favorite among the 10 candidates because of his history in the region, including two decades as a councilman and mayor of Rialto and three terms in the Assembly. Longville is also the fundraising leader, having collected $189,000 in 2003, according to campaign statements.

In the fundraising race, Longville is followed by Josie Gonzales, a Fontana councilwoman whose campaign took in $168,000 last year, including a $150,000 loan from herself, according to campaign statements. Martin Valdez, Eaves’ former chief of staff, raised $107,000 in 2003, according to campaign records.