Campbell challengers emerge

Paul Clinton

NEWPORT BEACH -- Even the potential challengers for one of the state’s

most rock-ribbed Republican Assembly seats acknowledge they have their

work cut out for them.

Jim Studier, a Libertarian from Lake Forest, is one of two challengers

who filed a “declaration of intent” to run against Republican John

Campbell in the race for the 70th Assembly District seat.

“The Libertarians aren’t a strong party right now,” said Studier, a

retired computer engineer. “It’s going to be an uphill fight.”

John Kane, who also lives in Lake Forest, has filed to run for the

Democratic nomination to unseat Campbell. Kane could not be reached for

comment.

Campbell, who was first elected in 2000, has emerged as a rising star

in the Republican Party -- popular in his district and respected as a

tireless worker and outspoken critic of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis.

“I’m surprised that other parties bother to have a candidate in a

district so strongly dominated by the GOP,” said Tom Fuentes, the

chairman of the Orange County Republican Party. “If they’re going to

spend the remodeling money on the kitchen on the campaign, I would put in

the new stove.”

Fresh off his first year in the state Legislature, Campbell said he

isn’t taking anything for granted.

The assemblyman, named vice chairman of the Assembly’s budget

committee in May, has loudly criticized Davis’ handling of the state’s

energy crisis earlier in the year.

On Aug. 31, Campbell celebrated his first bill to become law when

Davis signed Assembly Bill 810, which gives the Irvine Ranch Water

District the power to acquire land to install wetlands along San Diego

Creek.

“Some people, when they hear gunfire, run away from it,” Campbell

said. “I run toward it.”

Campbell will be running in a district altered during the statewide

redrawing of boundaries during the summer. Campbell lost Costa Mesa,

which was handed to Assemblyman Ken Maddox. The new districts don’t take

effect until after the general election.

Candidates for statewide offices must complete another round of

paperwork by Dec. 7 to become formal candidates for the March 5 primary.

The general election is set for Nov. 5.

This year, the state is holding a “closed” primary, in which voters

can only cast ballots for candidates in their party.

* Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .