Publication Date: Wednesday Oct 28, 1998

STATE ASSEMBLY: Lempert looks for another term

Assemblyman Ted Lempert, D-Palo Alto, had to take time out from campaigning last week and was a no-show at last Thursday night's League of Women Voters candidate forum at Cubberley Community Center in Palo Alto.

Lempert had an excuse that won smiles from everyone, though. His wife had given birth to their second child--a girl, Veronica--the night before.

The forum wasn't crucial for Lempert's re-election chances.

With the Republican Party not putting any money into the race, Lempert's re-election bid lacks drama.

Lempert was elected to the 14th Assembly District seat in 1996 after spending two earlier terms in Sacramento. He had been elected in 1988 and 1990, but lost his seat in 1992 when district boundaries were redrawn.

Lempert is being challenged by Republican Laverne Atherly and Natural Law Party candidate Marilyn Bryant.

Laverene Atherly

Age: 60

Occupation: Employment benefits consultant

Residence: Redwood City

Issues; Atherly is in the race because he is concerned about regional traffic and transportation problems that can't be solved by local governments. He has proposed extending BART through San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to San Jose along the Interstate 280 corridor, and linking the BART line to Caltrain and El Camino Real through more east-west bus lines. Atherly also thinks affordable housing could be built along those bus-line routes.

On Ted Lempert: "He maintains a busy schedule. ... Everyone likes him. But he has not been effective at all in representing the needs of this district."

On cutting taxes: "Citizens and business owners of California have one of the highest tax rates in the country. The high tax rates are driving out businesses. It's time to cut taxes."

Marilyn Bryant

Age: Not available

Occupation: Writer/editor

Residence: Palo Alto

Third-party candidacy: Bryant is a longtime Palo Alto League of Women Voters member who said she "jumped the two-party ship" in search of political alternatives. While she said there is little realistic chance of beating an incumbent like Lempert, she said being a third-party candidate isn't a waste of time because of the opportunity to raise issues that can get the attention of the two major parties. One of the problems in our political system, Bryant said, is that most legislative districts are "incumbent-safe" because of the large financial donations those candidates receive from special interest groups.

On change: "The most important issue facing us in this district and the whole country is changing our minds. Our problems are a result of decisions that have been made. If we don't learn to change our minds, we won't solve our problems."

On cutting taxes: "I think cutting taxes (is good), but I'm not ready to cut back on essential services. You need to do it responsibly."

Ted Lempert

Age: 37

Occupation: Assemblyman

Residence: Redwood City

Political history: Lempert, an attorney, was the first Democrat in 100 years to represent what was then the 20th Assembly District when he was elected to that San Mateo County seat in 1988, defeating an incumbent. After he lost his seat due to redistricting, he served on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors until his re-election to the Assembly in 1996.

On his vetoed school fire-sprinkler bill: "We worked hard on that and thought we had a compromise. We hope we can get the sprinkler bill through with a new governor (in 1999)."

On environmental legislation: "Many environmental bills were vetoed or stuck in committee. Getting good environmental legislation was difficult this year."