INCUMBENT CASH DASH PAYING OFF CAMPAIGN FILINGS REVEAL GAP.

Byline: Bill Hillburg Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Already blessed with newly reapportioned safe seats, local House incumbents are also piling up awesome - and likely insurmountable - wads of campaign cash with nearly six months remaining before Election Day.

According to the latest congressional candidate reports to the Federal Election Commission, incumbents have opened huge leads over their mostly neophyte challengers.

Incumbents maintain their flush campaign coffers are a just reward for years of effective service. Critics say the wide disparity dissuades potential candidates from running and voters from casting ballots in contests that appear to have foregone conclusions.

David Hernandez, a North Hollywood insurance adjuster who is challenging veteran Rep. Howard Berman, D-Mission Hills, is philosophical about his bid.

``I'm new and I'm paying my dues,'' he said. ``And I'm doing a lot of campaigning that doesn't cost anything, like attending community meetings and calling in to talk radio.''

While Berman's campaign account stands at $916,150, Hernandez has not yet raised the $5,000 minimum that triggers the FEC mandate to disclose campaign income.

Like most House challengers, Hernandez, a Republican, is receiving little or no financial support from his party.

Barring a monumental upset in November, his only tangible reward will be a seat on the Central Committee of the California Republican Party. Democratic challengers are guaranteed a similar consolation prize.

``When I was nominated (without opposition) in the March primary, I got a pat on the back from the party and that was it,'' Hernandez said. ``I didn't expect anything more.''

Berman did not return phone calls.

Steven Weiss, spokesman for the Center For Responsive Politics, a Washington-based watchdog group that tracks campaign contributions, said there are surprisingly few competitive races this year, even though every House district has been redrawn.

``With the huge amounts being raised, it's hard for challengers to catch up or keep up with incumbents,'' he said, noting that some House members are even holding fund-raisers on the day they are sworn into office.

Weiss also said that incumbents' huge war chests scare off many qualified candidates, leaving the field to independently wealthy individuals who can finance their own campaigns.

``And, when there's no opponent in a race, there is one less reason for people to get out and vote,'' he said.

Marjorie Mikels of Upland, Calif., may be facing the steepest uphill battle of this year's campaign.

The Democratic challenger to Rep. David Dreier, R-Covina, has officially amassed $945 in campaign cash, according to disclosure statements. Dreier's war chest stands at $2,566,278.

``I'm not trying to combat David Dreier's money,'' said Mikels, an attorney. ``I just wanted to stand up and make sure he didn't run unopposed. I'm here to be a voice of the people.''

Dreier said his campaign fund was amassed from supporters who contributed as little as $1, as well as those who donated the $1,000 maximum.

He also said he intends to invest a large portion of his campaign cash in GOP efforts to keep the Republicans in power in the House, including contributions to incumbents and hopefuls in 40 targeted tight races nationwide. Republicans currently have a five-seat majority in the House.

Bob Mulholland, a veteran California-based political consultant and member of the Democratic National Committee, said with reapportionment of safer new seats and wins at the ballot box in 2000 in hand, the party has likely reached its goal of increasing its share of the state's 53-member House delegation from 32 to 33 seats.

``We look at party registration, how much the candidate has been able to raise and how connected they are to the community,'' Mulholland said of the Democrats' candidate evaluation process.

He estimated it takes at least $1.5 million to run a credible House campaign in Southern California, with most of the money spent on direct mail appeals.

``If some new candidate calls and says he just won the primary in a heavily Republican district and has $2,500 in the bank, we wish him the best of luck,'' added Mulholland.

Bob Stutzman, spokesman for the California Republican Party, said the GOP also carefully evaluates races before investing money and expertise. He said the only possible long shot upset on the horizon is the 23rd District race between GOP hopeful Beth Rogers of Camarillo, and Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara.

The redrawn district hugs the Pacific Coast from northern San Luis Obispo County to the west end of Camarillo in Ventura County.

The state GOP's main goal for this year was to have a House candidate in each district. Long shots and 20 incumbents are standing for election in 52 of 53 districts, including all of those in Southern California.

``A campaign on the ground in every district generates turnout for statewide candidates and also gives exposure to new talent,'' said Stutzman. ``For Republicans in California, turnout is essential.''

THE MONEY DIVIDE

Here's how much campaign money House incumbents and their November challengers have collected, based on the latest finance reports:

Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Oxnard: $968,892

Fern Rudin (Dem)*

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Woodland Hills: $441,168

Robert M. Levy (GOP): $4,653

Rep. Howard Berman, D-Mission Hills: $916,150

David Hernandez (GOP)*

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles: $552,071

Tony Goss (GOP)*

Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita: $303,799

Robert Conaway (Dem)*

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena: $301,721

Jim Scileppi (GOP)*

Rep. David Dreier, R-Covina: $2,566,278

Marjorie Mikels (Dem): $954

Rep. Jane Harman, D-Redondo Beach: $417,909

Stuart Johnson (GOP): $4,158

Totals are for campaign cash on hand as of March 31, as reported to the Federal Election Commission on April 15.

*Indicates candidate has not yet raised $5,000 overall and is exempt from making mandatory filings with the FEC.

SOURCES: FEC; Center for Responsive Politics; California Secretary of State.

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THE MONEY DIVIDE (see text)