GOP HOPEFULS SCRAMBLE TO FACE BOXER.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Emboldened by last year's recall of Gov. Gray Davis, GOP leaders hope to build on the public support given Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and oust Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Boxer, one of the most liberal members of the U.S. Senate, long has been considered a target by conservatives - although she has won election twice and is seeking her third six-year term.

``Every time she runs, Republicans think she's in trouble. And every time, she wins,'' said Democratic political consultant Joe Cerrell, who is not involved in the election.

``Barbara Boxer is liberal. But she's also a practical, pragmatic politician, and she will work harder than anyone to stay in office.''

Boxer has no Democratic challenger in the March 2 primary election, allowing her to focus her attention on boosting her political base and raising money before the general election in November.

But it has been more difficult for the crowded field of would-be challengers on the March ballot, which includes 10 Republicans, as well as candidates from the Green, Libertarian, American Independent and Peace and Freedom parties.

Most of the attention in the Republican field has focused on four candidates: former Secretary of State Bill Jones, former Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin and former Los Altos Hills Mayor Toni Casey.

The four had their first campaign encounter last week at a candidate forum at the Skirball Cultural Center, hosted by the Republican Jewish Coalition. While the exchanges were polite, each candidate sought to paint himself or herself as the one who stands the best chance to defeat Boxer.

Schwarzenegger's presence is playing a large role, with his endorsement of Jones in the primary. It gives Jones a big boost among the GOP faithful and in raising funds. Jones also has been endorsed by the last two Republican governors, Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian.

Jones said the endorsements are for more than just past political support.

``I have been elected to statewide office twice,'' Jones said. ``I have worked with four governors and four presidents. I know how the legislative process works.''

However, the impacts of those endorsements are discounted by the others.

``None of those people will be on the ballot,'' Marin said. ``When it comes down to the election, people will be looking at Bill Jones and the rest of the field. The question is who will be the best candidate against Barbara Boxer.''

Marin believes she is the best candidate Republicans can field - a politically moderate immigrant who favors abortion rights.

``(Boxer) cannot campaign against me like she has against other Republicans,'' Marin said. ``I am an immigrant. I am a woman. I am pro- choice. I have fought odds all my life and succeeded.''

Casey, whom President George W. Bush named as an executive of the Small Business Administration, makes similar claims.

Retaining a trace of an accent from her native Tennessee, Casey is basing much of her campaign on the effort to make California more business-friendly.

With a master's degree in business administration from Stanford University, Casey said she also brings experience and a background that Boxer cannot challenge.

``I have worked on the local level, the county level, the federal level,'' Casey said. ``I have been a stay-at-home mom and a single mom. I come here as a new face for California.''

Kaloogian, who represented the Carlsbad area in the Assembly until he was forced out by term limits in 2000, is touting his conservative values and his work as one of the driving forces initially behind the Davis recall.

Kaloogian has been endorsed by state Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, and has been aggressively campaigning on issues such as illegal immigration - even opposing the proposals from the president for a guest worker program.

While insisting he will be competitive in raising funds, Kaloogian is using conservative talk-radio shows as a way to get his message out.

``I think I will get the support of conservative groups across the country,'' Kaloogian said. ``This campaign will become a cause celebre to defeat the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate.''

Jones has been relying on his years of service in public office - which includes two terms as secretary of state - and his ties to the Republican Party.

Independent polls show him leading the field of challengers, although his opponents have questioned his electability against Boxer. Jones lost the GOP nomination for governor in 2002 to businessman Bill Simon.

``I'd have to say that Jones has the edge because of Schwarzenegger's endorsement, but it's a field where you can't count anyone out,'' said Republican strategist Arnold Steinberg, who is not involved in any of the campaigns.

``Jones will be able to outspend the others, but if they are able to get a message out, it could be an open field.''

Like many other Republicans, Steinberg believes Boxer is vulnerable.

``I think the person who runs against her is going to have to have a 2004 kind of campaign - reflecting the issues that work this year,'' Steinberg said. ``She has been a virulent opponent of national defense, and she has to be called to task for that.''

Other announced Republicans include Danney Ball of Hemet, Barry L. Hatch of Arcadia, Bill Quraishi of El Granada, James Stewart of Temecula, Tim Stoen of Eureka and John Van Zandt of Upland.

Leading the field of other party candidates is Peter Camejo of the Green Party.

Camejo was among the top tier of candidates in the recall election last year.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1) CASEY

(2) JONES

(3) KALOOGIAN

(4) MARIN

(5) BOXER