CANDIDATES COURT LATINO VOTES; GOVERNOR HOPEFULS CAMPAIGN IN L.A.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

In a sign California politicians are paying ever greater attention to the Latino community and its power at the ballot box, three candidates for governor on Saturday appealed for support from an organization credited with some of the most aggressive voter registration drives in the state.

Lt. Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat; Attorney General Dan Lungren, a Republican, and former Rep. Dan Hamburg of the Green Party each offered their own credentials to members of the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project at its first convention hosting major political candidates.

With some 1,000 people at their luncheon at the Los Angeles Omni Hotel, Davis drew the widest support with ovations when he entered the ballroom and following his remarks where he credited Latino support for his come from behind victory on June 2.

Davis cited his efforts over the years, beginning with his job as chief of staff to former Gov. Jerry Brown in changing the face of state government with the increasing appointment of minorities and women.

``If I am governor, you will see plenty of people who know what you are going through because they will look like you,'' Davis said. ``I say, without fear of contradiction, I have a longer, better relationship with the Latino community than anyone running for governor.''

Among other things, Davis cited his efforts on behalf of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act and opposition to measures such as Propositions 128, 209 and 227, dealing with illegal immigration, affirmative action and bilingual education.

Lungren, countered, however, that his experience with Latinos goes back to his boyhood in Long Beach.

``I don't have to read newspapers to know about the Latino community,'' Lungren said. ``I grew up with Latinos. I played football with them.''

And, Lungren said he would match his record with Davis' in helping the Latino community.

Lungren was the author of the 1986 immigration reform act that paved the way for hundreds of thousands who had been living in the country illegally to obtain citizenship.

``If it was not for that law, your organization would not have the success it is having today,'' Lungren said.

Lungren has been active in reaching out to the Latino community since beginning his campaign, hoping to overcome the losses of the last three elections.

``Republican values are Latino values,'' Lungren said. ``Duty. Hard work. Families. Safe streets. These are issues that are important to everybody.''

Latinos had represented between 25 percent and 30 percent of the Republican vote during the years of Ronald Reagan and George Deukmejian.

However, that dropped to a low of about 6 percent two years ago after a series of campaigns by Gov. Pete Wilson over the divisive issues created by Propositions 187, 209 and 227.

``I admit my party has not shown up,'' Lungren said. ``I am showing up. I don't think that the Latino vote is lost, say, like it is in the African-American community, to Democrats.

``I think we have a message that resonates with Latinos. Take taxes,'' he said. ``It is our tax policy that hurts the Latino business community more than anything else.''

For his part, Hamburg drew the most spontaneous response of support from the crowd in a podium-pounding speech where he defended bilingual education and said he believed it should be a requirement for graduation from high school.

Hamburg, a Democrat who left the party two years ago when the Green Party nominated consumer advocate Ralph Nader for president, said his goal is to try to win enough support to force the parties to make political reforms.

In years where there is no incumbent running for governor, Hamburg said the two major candidates are only 4 percent apart. A viable third party candidate could tip the election, he said.

Lungren took note of that in a news conference afterward in which he opened it by chanting, `L`Go Green Go.''

A liberal third party would be expected to draw votes from Davis, he said.

The Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project has begun to make its influence known during the past two election cycles.

Antonio Gonzalez, president of the organization, said he expects to see 2.2 million Latinos registered for the Nov. 3 election and is aiming for a turnout of 1.2 million of them.

``I think people recognize what we have been able to accomplish,'' Gonzalez said. ``And, I think our people recognize that they have to vote to have a voice in the policies that affect them.''

The most important consideration for Latino voters, he said, is to be treated with respect.

``I think, today, with these candidates here, we got that,'' Gonzalez said. ``But, we'll see what they do in the fall.''

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PHOTO Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Lungren reacts to the arrival of Democratic nominee Gray Davis on Saturday at the Los Angeles convention of an influential Latino group.

Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press