Eleazar G Elizondo

In the race to represent Orange County's 1st Supervisorial District, the incumbent is chairman of the board, a man whose list of endorsements reads like a Who's Who of elected and community leaders. The challenger is a brash newcomer, unafraid of an uphill battle. Charles V. Smith, first elected in 1996, is the only member of the Board of Supervising facing an election challenge this year. Todd Spitzer is running unopposed and the board's three other members do not face reelection until 2002.

In the race to represent Orange County's 1st Supervisorial District, the incumbent is chairman of the board, a man whose list of endorsements reads like a Who's Who of elected and community leaders. The challenger is a brash newcomer, unafraid of an uphill battle. Charles V. Smith, first elected in 1996, is the only member of the Board of Supervising facing an election challenge this year. Todd Spitzer is running unopposed and the board's three other members do not face reelection until 2002.

Voters go to the polls Tuesday to choose candidates who will appear on the November ballot. Here's a closer look at candidates for Congress, state Senate and state Assembly. Candidates were asked about their goals and their stand on the proposed El Toro Airport. They were also asked their position on county toll roads which have come under scrutiny in recent months. DISTRICT 1 Charles V. Smith Personal: 67, married with four children.

Charles V. Smith, who campaigned on his experience and record as chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, was leading in his bid for a second term in early returns late Tuesday. Smith was running substantially ahead of challenger Eleazar G. Elizondo, a political newcomer who ran a grass-roots campaign with help from friends and family members. "I feel very optimistic," Smith said. "I would say it looks very good for us."

Sample ballots for the March primary election will include a statement urging support for Measure F, an initiative pushed by opponents of a commercial airport at El Toro, but no argument against it. The opposition ballot statement was delivered too late Friday to be included, registrar of voters Rosalyn Lever ruled. Political consultant David Ellis, representing pro-airport Citizens for Jobs and the Economy, arrived just seconds after registrar officials locked the doors at 5 p.m.