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School Services of California, Inc.
Community College Update
November 7, 1996
Copyright© 1996 by School Services of California, Inc.
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The Comeback Kids

In the military, there is a saying "old soldiers never die, they just fade away." In politics, there is a saying, "never can say goodbye." As a result of not being able to remain on the sidelines, five former legislators ran and won re-election to the State Legislature on November 5.

Leading the list of returning legislators is Democrat Lou Papan from the San Mateo County area. Papan returns to the Assembly after a 10-year absence. He was ousted from the Legislature in 1986 after a failed Senate bid against current Senator Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco). During his earlier years in the Assembly he was known for his aggressive and bombastic style.

Republican Tom McClintock left the Legislature in 1992 to run for Congress (he lost). In 1994 he ran for the post of State Controller against Kathleen Connell and lost again. Now the fiscally-conservative McClintock is back in the Assembly representing the 38th District (Fillmore, Northridge, Los Angeles and Simi Valley).

Democrat Dick Floyd was best known during his tenure in the Assembly for his partisan attacks on the Assembly floor, and his authorship of the "helmet law." Floyd lost his Assembly seat in 1992 when he was forced to run against another incumbent Democrat due to reapportionment, and they both lost to Juanita McDonald, who has since moved up to the U.S. Congress. He will be serving the 55th District (Carson, Compton, Los Angeles and Long Beach).

Democrat Ted Lempert returns after serving only one term in the Assembly from 1990-1992. During his tenure he served on the Assembly Education Committee. Interestingly, he lost in 1992 to a Republican who was also a "one-termer." He will be serving the 21st District (Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Redwood City).

Democrat Betty Karnette lost her bid for re-election to the Assembly in 1994. Ms. Karnette, a former school teacher and union activist, won a seat in the State Senate by defeating Republican Phil Hawkins, who served only one term in the Assembly. Ms. Karnette will serve the 27th Senatorial District (Long Beach), replacing Senator Bob Beverly (R-Long Beach) who served the District for almost 30 years before being forced out by term limits.

A welcome back is in store for these legislators whose prior experience will come in handy, since the November 5 election produced 31 legislators who will come to Sacramento with no prior state experience.

-- Arnold Bray
[Posted 11/12/96]