CALIFORNIA
Population (1994): 31,431,000 (up 5.6% from 1990), 12% of U.S. total
Voting-age population: 23,225,000; 1994 turnout, 34%
Median age: 31.5 years
Median household income: $35,331 ($3,067 above U.S. median)
Unemployment: 7.6% (2.0% above U.S average, March 1996)
Last presidential election: Clinton (D): 46% Bush (R): 33% Perot (I): 21%
Congressional delegation: 29 Democrats, 25 Republicans
California is a monster state, in geography, population--and political influence. If it were a country, it would be the seventh largest in the world. One in eight U.S. residents, and one in eight members of Congress, is a Californian. Though it may have a reputation for being liberal and laid-back, the state--with a Republican governor--remains a battleground on issues from abortion to welfare.
BRAD SHERMAN (D) District 24 (Northwest Los Angeles and Ventura County suburbs)
BORN: Oct. 24, 1954, Los Angeles EDUCATION: UCLA, B.A., 1974; Harvard U, J.D., 1979 FAMILY: Single RELIGION: Jewish MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Accountant, lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: California State Board of Equalization, 1990- ADDRESS: 14008 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91423. Tel.: 818-906-0333
With Sherman plunking down more than a quarter of a million dollars of his own money before August, this could be one of the more expensive Houses races in the country. Besides money, Sherman has tradition on his side--the district hasn't sent a Republican to the House since 1944--as well as the endorsement of retiring incumbent Anthony Beilenson.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NR Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I will be a full-throated voice of opposition to the Contract with America."
RICH SYBERT (R) District 24
BORN: March 21, 1952, Whittier EDUCATION: U of California, Berkeley, A.B., 1973; Harvard U, J.D., 1977; UCLA, M.B.A., 1989 FAMILY: Wife, Greta Lautenschleiger; one child RELIGION: Episcopalian MILITARY: Navy Reserve, 1986-95 OCCUPATION: Business executive POLITICAL CAREER: California state director of planning and research, 1991-93; Republican nominee for U.S. House, 1994 ADDRESS: P.O. Box 8572, Calabasas 91372. Tel.: 818-704-8396
Sybert almost defeated 10-term Anthony Beilenson in 1994. He talks tough on crime--favoring the death penalty and abolition of parole--and immigration. Like his opponent, however, Sybert is pro-choice, pro-environment and in favor of his district's seceding from Los Angeles.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare NR Defense NO Abortion YES Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "Ready for a real change in Congress? So am I!"
HOWARD BERMAN (D) District 26 (San Fernando Valley)
BORN: April 15, 1941, Los Angeles Education: UCLA, B.A., 1962, LL.B., 1965 FAMILY: Wife, Janis; one child, one stepchild RELIGION: Jewish MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: California Assembly, 1973-82; U.S. House, 1982- ADDRESS: 8665 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 220, Beverly Hills 90211. Tel.: 310-652-7831