Paul Studier: Running to offer a different choice

Paul Clinton

Libertarian Paul Studier’s views on issues cut fairly close to his

party’s familiar positions on most issues. Studier can boil it down

to one fairly easy-to-remember philosophy.

“The less government we have in our lives, the better,” Studier

said, neatly summing up his support for abolishing income tax,

legalizing drugs and fully deregulating the energy markets.

Studier is running against Republican John Campbell, the

incumbent, and Democrat John Kane in the race for the 70th Assembly

District seat.

Like many of his Libertarian colleagues, Studier has taken a

realistic view of his chances at unseating Campbell, who is coming

off his first two-year term.

Campbell, a high-profile Republican leader in the Assembly, enjoys

the benefit of a highly Republican voter registration. The district

was redrawn in 2001. Costa Mesa, once a part of it, has been moved to

the 68th Assembly District.

Studier hasn’t held public office, but ran for a state Senate

seat. In 2000, Studier ran against Sen. Ross Johnson for a seat that

includes Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. In a four-way race, Studier

pinned down only 3.6% of the vote.

“I ran to give people a choice,” Studier said. “I didn’t expect to

beat Ross Johnson.”

During that election year, Studier also ran for a seat on the Los

Alisos Water District but was unsuccessful.

The Libertarian Party, Studier said, offers a choice to those who

are disenchanted in both of the major parties.

On his campaign Web site, Studier keeps up a full-court press on

both opponents’ parties, calling them instruments of the status quo.

“Vote for a Republican or Democrat,” Studier says on the site, “if

you want: more government,” “more taxes” or “more gun laws,” among

other things.

Studier’s campaign for Campbell’s seat is more of an opportunity

to offer voters a third alternative to Democratic or Republican

candidates. He believes the political process, with its emphasis of

big-money campaigning, doesn’t give other parties a fair shot at

mounting a successful election bid.

“The process is rigged,” Studier said. “[I’m running] to give

voters another choice.”

After striking a vein of fortune during the 1990s technology boom,

Studier retired from his post as a computer engineer at an Orange

County company.

He left his job shortly before the tech meltdown.

“I managed to cash out six months before the peak,” Studier said.

“I worked very hard for it, but I’m also very lucky.”

Studier, who lives in Lake Forest, has been a Libertarian for many

years. He served as treasurer of the Libertarian Party of Orange

County. Showing his colors, Studier proudly recounts the vote he cast

for Ed Clark, the headstrong Libertarian candidate, for president in

1980.