Congresswoman helps kick off Lee campaign

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press September 26, 2000

By JOANNA PARSONS
Valley Press Staff Writer

PALMDALE - While the upcoming Palmdale City Council elections are supposed to be nonpartisan races, candidates are trying to build momentum and draw support from elected officials in their respective political parties as Election Day nears.

Valley Democrat Alan Lee, president of the AV Democratic Club, is no exception.

One of five candidates vying for a one-year term on the council, Lee had a fund-raising dinner Saturday night that not only drew Valley Democrats and other voters, but Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters of Los Angeles.

Lee is running against Republicans Matthew Van Dyk, Richard Loa, Jim Root and Jason Zink in the Nov. 7 election.

While it appears that many of this year's city council campaigns have split into Republican vs. Democrat, views vary on whether the supposedly nonpartisan campaigns have turned to party politics.

Many Lee fund-raiser attendees said while Democrats are being supported by Democrats, and Republicans by Republicans, it is merely because of association, and the city races are still nonpartisan.

Other attendees said the Republican stronghold in the city warrants Democratic party members sticking together to get their messages out.

Waters said she was pleased to see Palmdale has broken the Republican stronghold in the city - at least in voter registration numbers. The congresswoman was referring to the recent change in voter registration numbers that show Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by about 800.

Waters said the changing numbers are an indication of changing times.

"People are beginning to realize that the outdated thinking must go," she said, referring to the Republican agenda. "We need to have people ... who have a vision for what this country can be and what it should be."

Waters added Lee is the kind of visionary who will help bring people together in a coalition that will represent a growing diversity in the Palmdale community.

"As Alan said, 'Palmdale needs to have a representation,' " Waters said.

Despite Democratic candidates' drawing support from other Democrats, Waters said city council races are nonpartisan. Candidates always rally support from people they know who often happen to be members of the same political party, she said .

"That's not to say they're making it partisan," Waters said. "But it certainly appears to be because of the association, the alignment and the relationship, and I bet it happens here."

Lee emphasized he is not just going after the Democratic vote, but is talking to all voters about the issues.

"My message appeals to Democrats and Republicans alike, and in truth, moderate Republicans and a fair amount of (other) Republicans have more in common with my message than they have with the far-right Republicans," Lee said.

Among voters who came out to hear what Lee had to say was Marta Williamson, a leader of the new Old Town Homeowners Group.

Williamson said her group, a nonprofit citizens group formed earlier this year to address issues of concern in Palmdale, will not endorse any candidate in the upcoming election.

"Anybody who invites us, we hear what they have to say," Williamson said. "If they're dancing around an issue, they lose me. If I think they're being honest, even if I don't like what they have to say, it makes all the difference in the world if you've got somebody who's direct and honest."

But other attendees said nonpartisan politics no longer exits.

"There is no such thing as a nonpartisan race in a heavy Republican area," said Roberta Gillis, president of the Democratic Club of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Gillis said an example of party politics in the Palmdale race was a recent candidates forum sponsored by the local chapter of the California Congress of Republicans.

While Democrats could attend that forum, only Republicans could participate in the discussion of issues.

"It always becomes a partisan race because our candidates are not welcome to their forums," Gillis continued. "We always invite their candidates. We try to be fair, because how are people supposed to decide who they're going to vote for if they don't hear them?"

Other Democratic candidates in attendance at Lee's function included Sandy Corrales, one of four candidates seeking a three-year term on the Palmdale council; and Desmond Kester, who is running for Los Angeles County assessor.

Corrales is seeking election against Republicans Rick Norris and John Mayfield, as well as against Joe Rivera, who has not declared a party affiliation.

Earlier this month, Lee garnered campaign support from Democratic Assemblymen Scott Wildman of Glendale and Herb Wesson of Los Angeles.

During Saturfay's event, Waters not only expressed her support for Lee but also touched on issues concerning Democrats, such as labor and education.

"It's important to be here because I support Alan (Lee)," Waters said.

"I support what he's all about and I support these growing, changing communities looking for new leadership and direction. This is what's typical of what's happening in America."

Waters said elected officials must address the need to strengthen public education and to give teachers and other workers fair living wages.