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QUOTE OF NOTE: "From all we can tell, the Republican vision of 'opportunity' is not unlike that satirized by Victor Hugo in the 19th century--the notion that all Parisians, whether rich or poor, were equal in having the right to decide whether they wished to live under the bridges along the Seine."
PAUL STEPANEK (R) District 29 (West Los Angeles County; Santa Monica; West Hollywood)
BORN: Nov. 18, 1960, LaPorte, Ind. EDUCATION: Valparaiso U, B.S. 1983 FAMILY: Wife, Margaret Carroll RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Public-relations-firm owner POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: P.O. Box 25085, Los Angeles 90025. Tel.: 213-243-0207 Despite his underdog status, Stepanek is already prepared for accession to Congress--his Website contains a list of current legislation he would co-sponsor, as well as his agenda for the opening weeks of his first term (and he refuses to respond to the TIME/CQ questionnaire because "these are old issues"). His plan includes pledges to limit the size of the Federal Government, repeal the 1992 tax increase, reduce the deficit and promote the privatization of many government services.
THE ISSUES
Budget NR Medicare NR Defense NR Abortion NR Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia NR NAFTA NR Welfare NR Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I encourage the private and public sectors to look at creative solutions to support our California economy."
HENRY WAXMAN (D) District 29
BORN: Sept. 12, 1939, Los Angeles EDUCATION: UCLA, B.A., 1961, J.D., 1964 FAMILY: Wife, Janet Kessler; one child, one stepchild RELIGION: Jewish MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: California Assembly, 1969-75; U.S. House, 1975- ADDRESS: 8665 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 220, Beverly Hills 90211. Tel.: 310-652-7831
A Congressman as solidly liberal as his district, 21-year incumbent Waxman is a Los Angeles institution. He has led the Democratic charge to strengthen environmental regulations and create a national health-care system. His vocal attacks on tobacco earned him a trip to court, thanks to a suit by cigarette giant Brown & Williamson. But this popular and tough Democratic strategist is an odds-on favorite to win again.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "The most powerful special interest in this country is the tobacco industry. They have invariably gotten their way in the Congress of the United States."
XAVIER BECERRA (D) District 30 (Central, East and Southeast Los Angeles)
BORN: Jan. 26, 1958, Sacramento EDUCATION: Stanford U., A.B., 1980, J.D., 1984 FAMILY: Wife, Carolina Reyes; two children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: California Assembly, 1990-92; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 411744, Los Angeles 90041. Tel.: 213-258-8062
One of the few liberals left on the Hill, Becerra hit the ground running as a Congressman. He was appointed to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims and has pushed for a shift in federal funding for poor children that could move $59 million into his mostly Latino South Central district.