CANDIDATES GEAR UP FOR CAMPAIGN AGAINST MCKEON.

Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer

David Starr acknowledges a tough battle in challenging the popular two-term Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon in the March 26 primary.

In fact, the land development consultant said it will be nothing short of a miracle if he wins the Republican nomination in his race again McKeon, R-Santa Clarita.

"I can't take three months to run a campaign," said Starr, 53. "I'm a working man. I'm trying to represent the working man."

Also seeking the seat are Democrat Diane Trautman, Libertarian Bruce Acker and Peace and Freedom Party candidate Justin Charles Gerber, all running unopposed for their parties' nominations. The general election is Nov. 7.

The largely Republican 25th Congressional District covers the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys and stretches to the northern San Fernando Valley.

Topping the list of issues for Starr is the repeal of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Starr said he wants to see tariffs imposed on goods coming into the country from nations with weak or no laws protecting human rights and the labor force.

"I consider it unconstitutional to have a body overrule our government (World Trade Organization)," Starr said. "NAFTA and GATT (are) forcing Americans down to a Third World status rather than pulling others up."

Starr doesn't believe the defense budget should be increased but wants to keep the defense industry capabilities intact while building nonmilitary, high-technology items, such as high-speed trains.

"Why aren't we developing rapid-transit technology? Why can't the Antelope Valley and industry here be developing that technology for use here and throughout the world?" Starr said.

A big issue, Starr said, is the nation's treatment of its war veterans. Starr said the government's treatment of Persian Gulf War veterans said to be afflicted with a mysterious ailment is similar to the stonewalling the government did with victims of the herbicide Agent Orange in Vietnam.

"The Gulf War syndrome is being denied by our government. I think it's a real problem," Starr said. "No matter where we send them (American troops), when they come back sick we need to take care of them."

On other issues, Starr said he wants to drop foreign aid programs and concentrate on helping Americans first, impose a flat tax and abolish the Internal Revenue Service, and oppose cuts in Medicare and Social Security.

Starr is also opposed to Republican efforts to cut NASA's funding and environmental laws.

The congressman Starr faces is a former Santa Clarita mayor and western-wear retailer who serves on the powerful House National Security Committee. McKeon also serves as chairman of the Economic and Educational Opportunities Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training and Lifelong Learning.

McKeon said he will push for funding to develop a prototype Navy version of the F-117 stealth fighter. Production of such an aircraft could mean hundreds of jobs at the Lockheed Martin "Skunk Works" in Palmdale.

McKeon gained popularity with aerospace workers for his efforts in securing $493 million to continue production of the B-2 stealth bomber beyond the 21 aircraft authorized by Congress. B-2 production employs about 3,000 people in the Antelope Valley.

"We've made great progress, but it looks like that will be an ongoing battle for years," McKeon said.

McKeon is hoping to see his bill blocking a proposed dump in Elsmere Canyon go through the Senate. The bill would prohibit the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from approving any land exchange in the Angeles National Forest for the purpose of locating an urban solid-waste landfill.

McKeon said he also wants to continue to work on cutting the bureaucracy of the Department of Education, eliminating programs and putting block grant money directly in the hands of local decision-makers. McKeon believes it will take a five- to eight-year effort to bring the department to its proper size.

Democrat Trautman, 41, of Canyon Country is a homemaker and a former political columnist. Trautman is active in the Democratic Club of the Santa Clarita Valley and the PTA.

Trautman said she wants to push for educational programs. Trautman believes the GOP cuts in education make it harder for the middle class to get student loans.

"We need more critical thinking skills, more education in arts to open people to wider vistas. That's how we are going to compete globally," Trautman said. "We need to encourage lifelong learning. We need to make sure adult education and re-education is available."

A different issue, Trautman said, is finding ways to help defense workers get into other well-paying jobs. That includes workers on the B-2 program, which she expects will prove to be too expensive for the Pentagon.

"The Pentagon says it doesn't want the B-2 bomber. I think (the) writing is on the wall about that," Trautman said. "While that's being phased out, something should be phased in."

Trautman is also opposed to the GOP plans to cut the Environmental Protection Agency, Medicare and Medicaid.

"I know a lot of people aren't happy with the direction the GOP is taking this country," Trautman said. "There are moderate Republicans, Democrats and people outside the two main parties who want a real change."

Libertarian Bruce Acker, 39, a Chatsworth electrical engineer, said he is advocating true cuts in the size of the federal government.

"You've got to keep the Republicans honest. The GOP plan actually increases the size of government 20 percent over seven years," Acker said. "You really have to hold Republicans' feet to the fire."

Acker said the departments of Transportation, Energy and Education should be eliminated.

"The Department of Education doesn't teach one kid, the Department of Transportation doesn't transport one thing, and the Department of Energy doesn't generate one watt," Acker said. "These things are much better operated in the private sector."

Acker also proposes a radical overhaul of the Social Security system. Senior citizens would be covered with private annuities, in his idea, and others would have the option of staying in the system or keeping the money normally withheld from paychecks for Social Security.

"Everybody knows there's no money in the trust fund," Acker said. "We're going to have to just bite the bullet and tell newcomers to the job market they won't be covered."

Acker said the capital gains tax has to be eliminated completely. That can be done if there are true cuts to the federal government, such as eliminating the Transportation, Energy and Education departments.

Peace and Freedom Party candidate Justin Charles Gerber did not return telephone calls.