Assemblyman leads county fund-raisers

Paul Clinton

NEWPORT-MESA -- Newport Beach’s assemblyman raised more money last

year than any other Orange County member of the state Legislature.

Assemblyman John Campbell, who represents Newport Beach, collected

$243,798 during 2001, about $16,000 more than either Assemblyman Lou

Correa (D-Santa Ana) or Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher (R-Brea).

Campbell, who took over as the vice chairman of the Assembly’s budget

committee after only his first year in office, has quickly ascended to a

leadership role in the Assembly.

Since his election in November 2000, the assemblyman has struck a

chord in his wealthy, Republican district by challenging Democratic Gov.

Gray Davis’ energy policy and budget.

“I’m obviously pleased with the level of support that shows,” Campbell

said about finishing tops in the county. “I got a disproportionate amount

of it from local sources. It’s a part of being responsive and being

around.”

An area Campbell won’t be around anymore is Costa Mesa, which he lost

during last year’s redistricting. The city will be picked up by the

winner of the race for the 68th District seat. Part-time Tustin policeman

Ken Maddox (R-Garden Grove) now holds the seat.

Campbell is running unopposed for the March 5 primary. He’ll face

Democrat John Kane and Libertarian Paul Studier in November.

In 2001, Kane raised $990, records show. Studier didn’t raise the

$1,000 required to file a report.

The assemblyman’s top givers included $6,000 from Pacific Bell-Pacific

Telesis employees, $3,000 from tobacco giant Philip Morris and $3,000

from the United Parcel Service. As of Jan. 19, Campbell counted $88,077

in cash.

Maddox, by comparison, had $109,010 in his campaign treasury. Maddox

took $6,000 from the Building and Construction Trades Council of

California, $3,000 from insurer Farmers Group, $3,000 from Philip Morris

and $3,000 from health care provider Pacific Life.

As in Campbell’s case, no Republican has filed to oppose Maddox.

In 2001, Maddox raised $119,794 in contributions, county records show.

Costa Mesa resident Doug Scribner, a Libertarian, will oppose Maddox.

Scribner has not raised $1,000. Perennial candidate Al Snook, a Democrat,

has decided to face off against Maddox. Snook raised $1,490 last year.