Assembly Races Are High-Stakes Contests

Three of the 10 Republicans competing in Tuesday’s election in the new 44th Assembly District, which includes Pasadena, have raised more than $100,000, according to new reports filed with election officials.

Meanwhile, in two other San Gabriel Valley Assembly districts, where there is intense competition in the Democratic primary, several contenders are nearing $100,000, despite the difficulty of raising money during a recession with many in wide-open contests competing for funds.

Financial reports filed last week with the county registrar-recorder’s office show that Pasadena insurance agent Bill Hoge, former La Canada Flintridge Mayor Barbara Pieper and Pasadena businessman Robert Oltman have amassed the most money in the 44th District. The reports reflect money raised through May 16.

Three candidates in the field of 10 have stayed competitive in campaign funds by loaning themselves thousands of dollars.

Hoge, who is endorsed by the two assemblymen who currently represent most of the area, Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) and Richard Mountjoy (R-Monrovia), reported $152,851 in contributions, including $9,000 from the National Rifle Assn. and more than $10,000 in cash and other assistance from the Gun Owners of California. He also received $3,000 from Sen. Don Rogers (R-Bakersfield) and $2,000 from Sen. Frank Hill (R-Whittier).

Pieper, a member of the county Board of Education who has the endorsement of Gov. Pete Wilson, reported $149,379 in donations, including $10,000 from the Assn. of California School Administrators and major contributions from medical groups.

Oltman, who is a partner in a warehouse business, reported $145,719 in contributions, but $132,000 was money he loaned to his campaign.

Reports for other Republicans showed contributions of $77,419 for attorney Stephen Acker, more than half of it from him or his law firm; $77,027 for Pasadena businessman T. H. Choi, including $65,372 he loaned to his campaign; $69,134 for Pasadena school board member Wilbert Smith; $27,550 for former South Pasadena Councilman Lee Prentiss, and $3,153 for computer consultant Bob Bell. Candidates Maurine Petteruto of Temple City and Roy Begley of Pasadena filed statements declaring their intention to raise less than $1,000.

The three Democrats in the race each reported contributions under $3,000.

In the 49th Assembly District, which includes Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead and San Gabriel, Diane Martinez, a member of the Garvey school board, has raised the most. She reported $79,431, including substantial donations from medical, insurance and trial lawyers groups. After the filing deadline, she received an additional $10,000 from a political action committee sponsored by employers.

Two of her rivals in the Democratic primary, attorneys Richard P. Fajardo and Richard Amador, have raised nearly as much money. Fajardo reported $66,102 in contributions, including a $14,500 loan from Supervisor Gloria Molina’s campaign fund. After the filing deadline, he received an additional $11,000 loan from Molina. Amador reported contributions totaling $62,906.

The fourth Democratic candidate, Robert Gomez, a senior deputy county counsel, raised $26,844.

In the district’s Republican primary, Sophie C. Wong, a member of the Alhambra school board, reported $30,969 in contributions and Beth Fujishige, administrative assistant to the city manager in Monterey Park, reported $21,022.

In the 57th Assembly District, which includes Azusa, Baldwin Park, El Monte, Hacienda Heights and La Puente, Rio Hondo College board member Hilda Solis has a fund-raising lead over La Puente Councilman Edward L. Chavez. The third Democrat in the race, Anthony (Tony) Fellow, a member of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District board, is a distant third.

Solis reported $86,880 in donations, with 80% of it in amounts of $100 or less. Solis, who has been stressing the grass-roots nature of her campaign, said more than 400 people have given her $100 or less. Her campaign total was increased after the filing deadline by a $5,000 contribution from Supervisor Molina.

Chavez reported $64,912 in donations, including major support from medical groups, $10,000 from retiring Assemblywoman Sally Tanner (D-Baldwin Park) and a $20,000 loan from a brother. In a late filing, he reported $10,000 from the same employers’ coalition that has backed Martinez.

Fellow reported donations of $34,738, including $10,000 he loaned to the campaign.

In the Republican primary, El Monte businessman Michael K. Stark reported $29,811 in contributions, mostly from himself and his family. His opponent, Gary Woods, a Citrus College trustee, filed a declaration that he intended to raise less than $1,000.

In another hotly contested race, Assemblyman Paul Horcher (R-Hacienda Heights) has a commanding fund-raising lead over his Republican rival, Diamond Bar Councilwoman Phyllis Papen. He reported $113,708 in contributions. Papen listed $30,393.