70th Assembly District

Marilyn C. Brewer's primary victory in the 70th Assembly District earlier this year made it a strong likelihood that she would go on to win the general election in November. This is one of the most Republican districts in California, and the question of succession for outgoing incumbent Gil Ferguson was largely about what kind of Republican would take the seat after him, not whether the district would send a Republican or Democrat to Sacramento.

Of the 100 Assembly and Senate seats up for grabs in the March 2 primary election, political experts say more than 20 races could be close. These, all for open seats, are some of the most notable: * In the Republican-dominated 37th Assembly District, which includes much of Ventura County, the wife of Assemblyman Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark) is running to replace him. She faces three competitors: Jeff Gorell, once an advisor to former Gov.

Going from lamb to lion in the battle to oust Assemblyman Gil Ferguson, Republican primary challenger Mary Hornbuckle has flooded the 70th Assembly District with a half dozen tough campaign mailers over the past week, prompting the incumbent to cry foul.

Re "Ruling Lets Candidate's Words Win," Dec. 31: Though the complaint challenging Marianne Zippi's ballot statement may not have been submitted in time, it's obvious she used her ballot statement to attack her rivals and garner some media attention. While this ploy may have worked for the time being, it's a clear indication of a campaign with no substance -- which is why most local political observers don't consider Zippi viable. For some time now, I've watched the contenders for the 70th Assembly District seat vie for money and momentum.

At first glance, the race between Assemblyman Gil Ferguson and Phyllis Badham doesn't look like much of a race at all. Ferguson, after all, has held the 70th Assembly District seat since 1984 and won his last reelection races handily. Badham, a 30-year-old public relations manager, has never run for office before, much less won an election.

Representatives to the state Democratic Central Committee from the 70th Assembly District will be selected at a meeting of district Democrats today in Laguna Niguel. The district extends from Newport Beach to San Juan Capistrano and includes Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Dana Point, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. Assembly district officers will be chosen during the same session.

Thank you for letting me know who the true conservative candidate is in the 70th Assembly District. So, (Gil) Ferguson has tried to oust left-wing extremist Tom Hayden from the state Assembly? Wonderful! He has the guts to call gay activists "faggots." Hallelujah! And most importantly, Gil Ferguson is not ashamed to stand up for the unborn. Gil, you've got my vote. BRIAN LATHAM Mission Viejo

As an elected, local official I am concerned about the lack of credibility of the individuals serving in the state Assembly and Senate. For the last few years, the state of California has robbed the coffers of local government to feed its never-ending appetite for funding unneeded and wasteful state programs. This has been happening even as more and more "fiscal conservatives" are elected to represent us. Fortunately, the voters of the 70th Assembly District will be able to send a true fiscal conservative to Sacramento.

MARILYN C. BREWER A business owner and former aide to Supervisor Thomas F. Riley, Brewer won a hard-fought Republican primary four years ago. She has no Democratic opponent. * Political party: Republican * Age: 55 * Residence: Newport Beach * Education: Attended Fullerton College and Cal State Fullerton * Career highlights: Elected in 1994. Principal in a plastics and injection-molding business for 20 years. Mariposa Women's Center board of directors; on the board of Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

Marilyn C. Brewer's primary victory in the 70th Assembly District earlier this year made it a strong likelihood that she would go on to win the general election in November. This is one of the most Republican districts in California, and the question of succession for outgoing incumbent Gil Ferguson was largely about what kind of Republican would take the seat after him, not whether the district would send a Republican or Democrat to Sacramento.

I read with interest the comments from Rep. Robert K. Dornan (Letters, Aug. 21) in which the right honorable gentleman addressed the so-called "liberal-created mythology" directed at him. I think much about what has been written in the media is biased against him. I do, however, condemn Mr. Dornan's distortions that Marilyn Brewer, candidate for the 70th Assembly District is "pro-abortion." Anyone who knows Mrs. Brewer and her family know this to be a fallacy. True, the candidate is pro-choice, as am I, but that in no way means that she encourages that abortions should take place.

As an elected, local official I am concerned about the lack of credibility of the individuals serving in the state Assembly and Senate. For the last few years, the state of California has robbed the coffers of local government to feed its never-ending appetite for funding unneeded and wasteful state programs. This has been happening even as more and more "fiscal conservatives" are elected to represent us. Fortunately, the voters of the 70th Assembly District will be able to send a true fiscal conservative to Sacramento.

The 70th Assembly District is some of the most solidly Republican territory to be found anywhere. When Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) decided not to run again in the hopes of replacing Marian Bergeson in the state Senate, the question of succession inevitably focused on what kind of Republican representation the district would get. But that question, at least for those who are looking for the ultimate conservative, has not proven so easily decided.

With a month still to go before the June 7 primary, the three-way Republican contest in the 70th Assembly District would already seem to have had more than its share of political intrigue. Abortion, bankruptcy, a threatened lawsuit and even the knifing of one candidate by a homeless man have already been floated as potential "Gotcha!" issues designed to knock any one of the candidates out of the race. So far, the three GOP candidates, Marilyn C. Brewer, Barry J. Hammond and Thomas G.

A rift among conservatives over the 70th Assembly District seat intensified Friday when two Orange County assemblymen accused two of the county's state senators of meddling in the race in order to "buy" political power. During a news conference announcing their support for attorney Thomas G.