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Kuykendall is a voice of

moderation

Opinion

October 21, 2004

Short of a major upset or a last-minute political bombshell, most of the state and federal legislators who represent parts of the South Bay will easily win re-election on Nov. 2.

Those considered to occupy safe seats carved up during the last round of redistricting include Rep. Jane Harman, D-Redondo Beach; Rep. Juanita Millender McDonald, D-Carson; Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach; and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles. Headed for re-election to the state Legislature are Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach ; Assemblyman Jerome Horton, D-Inglewood; and State Sen. Ed Vincent, D-Inglewood. And Assemblyman Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach , is expected to make the jump to the seat currently held Betty Karnette, who has is being termed out of the state Senate.

Less predictable is the outcome of the race in the 54th Assembly District between Democrat Karnette and Republican Steve Kuykendall. The race is a rematch of the Kuykendall-Karnette duel a decade ago, when Kuykendall went on to win the Assembly seat by a razor-slim margin.

Because Kuykendall has already served two terms in the state Assembly, he can only serve one more two-year term; Karnette, meanwhile, is eligible to serve two more terms.

Though that's not much time to accomplish much, Kuykendall points out that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has endorsed Kuykendall, did a lot during his first year in office. Kuykendall is experienced at all levels of government -- having served on the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council, state Assembly and in Congress -- so he won't require a learning curve.

Though Karnette is well-versed on education and transportation issues, our endorsement goes to Kuykendall, who has strong support in the region's business community but whose efforts to secure open space on the Palos Verdes Peninsula scored points with environmentalists.

Kuykendall said he would like to work on a new bipartisan bill to address pollution at the Port of Los Angeles . He vowed to work with both Democrats and the governor to help the Legislature overcome its dysfunctional reputation.

Though his top priority would be to balance the state budget, Kuykendall also wants to reduce overhead and bureaucracy in the state's public education establishment and make schools more accountable.

Kuykendall has previously demonstrated strong leadership abilities, having served as Republican whip in the state Assembly. Voters in the 54th Assembly District can be assured that they will have a moderate, stable and informed voice in Sacramento by casting their ballots for Steve Kuykendall on Election Day.

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