Competing for the Capitol

Two State Senate and four Assembly races have drawn 16 candidates. A brief look at each:

33RD STATE SENATE

David Robert Heywood

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Student, cellular customer representative

Age: 26

Background: Orange County native; active in Democratic clubs; has never run for office

Major Issues: Improve education; longer sentences for criminals; boost business climate without hurting environment

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John R. Lewis

Party: Republican

Occupation: State senator

Age: 41

Background: Sixteen years in Legislature

Major issues: Improving California's economy; slicing taxes

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35TH STATE SENATE

Nat Adam

Party: Natural Law

Occupation: Civil engineer

Age: 49

Background: Been in business 20 years

Major issues: Wants to push for conflict-free, nonpartisan political process, more multicultural education; opposes commercial airport at El Toro Marine Air Station

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Madelene Arakelian

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Businesswoman

Age: 62

Background: Has run for county supervisor, state Senate and Congress; owns Irvine waste hauling firm

Major issues: Improving education; helping strip restrictions on business

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Ross Johnson

Party: Republican

Occupation: State senator

Age: 57

Background: Eighteen years in Legislature

Major issues: Cutting taxes, business regulations and proliferation of lawsuits

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68TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Audrey L. Gibson

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Congressional district administrator

Age: 40

Background: Compton city attorney paralegal; political activist; worked on numerous campaigns; first run for office

Major Issues: Educating state's 20th century work force; improving small-business climate

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Curt Pringle

Party: Republican

Occupation: Assembly speaker

Age: 37

Background: Highest-ranking Assembly Republican; six years in Legislature; small-businessman

Major issues: Slice taxes; cut regulations hindering business; reform welfare.

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70TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Gene Beed

Party: Libertarian

Occupation: Pediatrician

Age: 40

Background: Board of directors of Irvine Child Development Center; director, Acacia Adult Day Care Center; former director, Discovery Science Center

Major issues: Reducing taxes; reduce size, cost and reach of government