John Campbell: From the incumbent’s seat

Paul Clinton

Now running as the incumbent, two years after first winning his

seat, John Campbell is approaching this year’s Assembly race with a

different mind-set.

“I started as being an unknown businessman,” Campbell said. “I now

have a track record; and I have some name recognition.”

Campbell is running for reelection in the 70th Assembly District,

which was redrawn in 2001 and now does not include Costa Mesa.

Campbell’s opponents Nov. 5 are Democrat John Kane and Libertarian

Paul Studier.

Campbell enjoys many of the familiar advantages of Republicans

seeking office in rock-ribbed conservative districts. In the 70th

District, Republicans comprise 52% of the registered voters, while

Democrats make up only 28%.

Campbell’s opponents have raised little money and aren’t making

much of an effort to campaign for the seat. And even though Campbell

has raised a considerable amount in contributions, he is donating

chunks of it to other candidates and the Orange County Republican

Party.

Kane, in perhaps an ominous sign for his own campaign, isn’t

making many appearances around the district.

“Even though I have more money, he’s not doing any of those

things,” Campbell said about his Democratic opponent. “He just seems

to have his name on the ballot in case I die.”

During his first term of office, Campbell has struck a chord with

his district by challenging Gov. Gray Davis’ energy policies and

budget.

Campbell, as vice chairman of the Assembly’s budget committee, led

opposition to the Democratic governor’s budget, which ultimately

passed after Davis and Democratic lawmakers agreed to add several tax

credits that they had taken out. The budget is one reason why the

state is facing a $24 billion deficit this year.

“We’re going to have another big deficit next year, because the

governor didn’t want to deal with it this year,” Campbell said. “When

what’s coming in is less than what’s going out, don’t increase the

rent. Don’t go out to dinner more often.”

Campbell, if he wins reelection, said he would again work to limit

increases in spending, at least while the economy struggles to

recover.

Campbell said he supports a constitutional amendment that would

restrict government spending by tying the outlays to personal

incomes. It would require Sacramento lawmakers to spend no more than

the rate at which household incomes are growing statewide.

Campbell said he has enjoyed his first two years in office and, if

the timing is right, would consider running for a state Senate seat

for 2004. That year, Sen. Ross Johnson, who represents Newport-Mesa

in the 35th District, would be termed out.

Even though he is a heavy favorite for reelection to the Assembly,

Campbell said he hasn’t booked the win just yet.

“You take nothing for granted,” Campbell said. “If people think

I’ve been doing a good job, they should vote for me.”