Stumping for the Senate

Paul Clinton

Orange County Republican elites were given a preview of the 2004

Senate race against Barbara Boxer this month when Rep. George

Radanovich (R-Fresno), an announced candidate, stopped by for a

luncheon hosted by Buck Johns.

Johns, a GOP fund-raiser, hosted the event at the Newport Beach

offices of the Inland Group, his energy company.

Radanovich, who spoke to the crowd of fewer than 50 as they

munched on sandwiches and sipped sodas, has joined a handful of other

potential and announced candidates who could bid to unseat Boxer.

Those include Rep. Doug Ose (R-Sacramento), former Gov. Pete

Wilson, also a former senator, U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin,

gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon and Rep. Mary Bono (R-Palm

Springs).

Radanovich, who runs a winery near Fresno, acknowledged his lack

of name recognition statewide.

“Because I only represent 2% of the state, I’ve got a name

problem,” Radanovich said. “But it’s all about getting to know the

right people.”

Radanovich also said he expects to benefit from the popularity of

President Bush. On the issues, Radanovich said he was “pro-life,

pro-gun and free trade.”

Johns liked what he heard.

“He’s a really attractive [candidate],” Johns said. “He will be

competitive in the primary.”

LINCOLN CLUB COMES OUT FOR CAMPBELL

For only the third time in the last two decades, the Lincoln Club

of Orange County has endorsed a local candidate for a state Senate

primary.

The club has thrown its considerable local influence behind

Assemblyman John Campbell in the 35th Senate District seat. Campbell

is running against Assemblyman Ken Maddox.

“This is extremely unusual,” said Michael Capaldi, the club’s

president. “Our board of directors felt that the stakes were so high

in the race that we had to get involved now. The vote to endorse John

was overwhelming.”

Maddox said he was “taken aback” by the announcement.

“I’m not surprised members of the country club endorsed their

fellow member,” Maddox said. “I’m just glad they didn’t ask me to

caddy.”

Maddox has lost favor with the group, an active fund-raiser for

GOP candidates in the county, because of his voting record, Capaldi

said. Maddox was the only Republican to support the prevailing wage

law and one of only three to support the eight-hour work day in 1998.

“Maddox’s record is nothing to be proud of for a Republican,”

Capaldi said. “In fact, it’s not a Republican record at all.”

There are only two occasions in which the club endorsed one

Republican candidate over others. In 1998, the group endorsed Dan

Lungren for governor over a handful of fringe candidates. In 1982,

the group threw its support behind Marion Bergeson in her run for the

same Senate seat Campbell is seeking.

“It’s very important and very significant,” Campbell said about

the endorsement. “I’m honored beyond expression.”

LIBERALISM VERSUS CONSERVATISM ON THE MENU

Conservative political activist Karla Downing is scheduled to

speak today at the annual luncheon of the Newport Harbor Republican

Women, which will be held at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.

Downing will discuss the differences between the political

philosophies of conservatism and liberalism and how the Republican

and Democratic parties reflect those views.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. today. The club is

at 1601 Bayside Drive in Corona del Mar. For more information, call

(949) 644-0539.

TRADING AND TAXES GARNERS LEGISLATORS AWARDS

Two local legislators won awards in recent week.

Assemblyman Maddox was honored Monday by a state trade group.

Maddox, who represents Costa Mesa, won the Republican Legislator

of the Year Award.

A taxpayer group honored Rep. Chris Cox, on April 10. Cox was

given the Taxpayer’s Friend Award for 2002 by the National Taxpayers

Union. Cox has received the award every year since its inception in

1992.

“While many members of Congress talk about reducing the size of

government, [Policy] Chairman Cox backed up those words with votes,”

said Pete Sepp, the group’s vice president of communications.