June 4, 2007

Republicans lining up for open Assembly seat

By Mike Sprague
Staff Writer

Although the 2008 June primary for Republicans is still a year away, the field of candidates vying to succeed 60th District Assemblyman Bob Huff already appears to be solidifying.

Among the candidates is Chino Hills Councilman Curt Hagman, who already has received an endorsement from Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and is seeking support from former Assemblyman Robert Pacheco.

And then there is Larry Dick, a Municipal Water District of Orange County board member, who has the endorsement of state Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman of Tustin.

A third potential candidate is La Habra Heights Councilman Stan Carroll, who said he has yet to decide whether to run.

The seat is opening up because Huff, R-Diamond Bar, plans to run for the state Senate seat held by Bob Margett, also a Diamond Bar Republican, who is termed out.

The winner of the primary is expected to have an easy victory in the general election in the district, which is 47 percent Republican.

However, it figures to be a difficult race for all the GOP candidates because the district is so spread out. It includes portions of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

"It's just a crazy district demographically," said Barbara Stone, professor emeritus of political science at Cal State Fullerton. "It's going to take a substantial amount of dollars to win this primary because nobody knows any of these people."

The district includes Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Industry, La Habra, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Orange, Rowland Heights, Villa Park, Walnut, Whittier as well as the Anaheim Hills area of Anaheim.

Mike Spence, president of the California Republican Assembly, agreed with Stone.

"The rules used to be that if you had $100,000 you were competitive. Now you need $500,000 in order to be competitive," he said. "It means you have to get out hustling earlier and earlier."

Hagman already has rejected the optional $483,000 spending limit, but Dick has not.

It doesn't appear that Huff will play much of a role in the race.

"I plan to stay out of it unless the wheels fall off of one," he said. "Both are great candidates."

So far the race hasn't turned negative - unlike the 2004 primary that featured mudslinging by Huff, Bill MacAloney and Gayle Pacheco, who is Robert Pacheco's wife.

Dick, 51, of Orange, who is president of the La Salle Group, said he plans to tout his life experiences that have included involvement on a number of water boards, including the Metropolitan Water District.

"They have provided the opportunity to work in an environment filled with contentious issues," he said.

Hagman, 42, owns Apex Bail Bonds of Pomona and also talks about his experience, including his membership on the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board.