Sharing the Wealth : With Their Seats Safe, Democrats Lend a Hand in Other Campaigns

Like many other politicians, Rep. Mel Levine will be hitting the campaign trail early this year. His schedule calls for scores of stops at rubber-chicken dinners, fund-raisers, community forums and other high-profile events.

But unlike many other candidates, Levine will not be campaigning for himself, by and large. Facing only nominal Republican opposition in November, the three-term congressman will spend much of his time working for other Democrats.

Levine, western chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, will campaign for congressional candidates in New Mexico and Utah. He will also work on behalf of fellow Californians such as state Sen. Gary Hart (D-Santa Barbara), who is running for the 19th Congressional District seat.

“I will be spending quite a bit of my time helping Democratic colleagues and challengers in the western part of the country,” said Levine (D-Santa Monica). “The bulk of what I will be doing, in fact, is helping others.”

Levine is not alone. With their own seats safe this political season, many Westside lawmakers are turning their attention to other contests and causes, and in many instances are fanning out to other parts of the country.

Several will be active in the Michael Dukakis presidential campaign and other races nationwide. Others plan on working on Democratic voter registration, initiatives and pet legislation, in addition to spending time on strengthening their ties with the people back home.

Kam Kuwata, a Santa Monica-based Democratic campaign consultant, said the Westside delegation, with its long tenure and high level of voter satisfaction in the predominantly liberal and Democratic area, can afford to branch out.

He said there’s a lot to be gained from playing a back-up role in other political contests.

“When you’re in that position, you then try to increase your influence in public policy matters,” Kuwata said. “And if you help one person beat another, that’s one more vote from someone who matches your philosophy.”

Working on behalf of other Democrats also raises a politician’s profile and increases his clout in the party. And consultants say Westside lawmakers, with their access to significant financial resources, have the added option of sharing the wealth.

Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles), who expects to raise funds for others this year, said cash is one of the most important resources Westsiders have to offer. “The main thing people want is financial help,” he said.

Waxman said he expects to spend much of this month in his Hollywood-area district, meeting with constituents, speaking to community groups and doing advance work on AIDS, health and clean-air legislation slated for next year.

But the six-term congressman, a nationally recognized health-care expert who heads the House subcommittee on health and the environment, said he also expects to play a substantial role in the Dukakis campaign.

‘Chance to Win’

“I’m going to be helping them in any way I can,” said Waxman, who may travel to other parts of the country on behalf of the ticket. “We have a real chance to win, and nothing could be a higher priority than that.”

Rep. Julian Dixon (D-Los Angeles) said he expects to devote much of his time to voter registration. The Culver City-area congressman will also meet with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, which he chairs.

Dixon said incumbents who lack strong opposition have a real opportunity to contribute to the party. But he added that constituents cannot be overlooked.

“Not having a tough campaign is a luxury on one hand,” Dixon said. “But I still make about 25 trips to Los Angeles each year. There are community meetings I have an opportunity to attend. And those are abundant this year.”

Rep. Anthony Beilenson (D-Los Angeles), whose district includes Beverly Hills, echoed Dixon’s words. The congressman said he has never ignored an election, even one that looked easy.

“In the three weeks before the election, I will spend virtually all of my time in the district,” Beilenson said. “The only other political involvement I’ll have is in being whatever help I can be to the Dukakis campaign.”

Cautious Tone

Even Levine, committed to 12 other races, stressed that his own election will not be overlooked.

“I don’t believe in taking anything for granted,” he said. “I will certainly be watching my own district. . . . But the interesting thing about these races is that the bulk of the campaigning in California is mail-related.”

Like Beilenson, Dixon and Levine, most Westside politicians were cautious not to sound as if they were taking their own elections for granted. And two legislators contacted by The Times, state Sen. David Roberti (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles), refused to say anything at all.

Kuwata said Westside lawmakers are carefully balancing their personal political concerns against their “enormous enthusiasm” for the Dukakis ticket and other Democratic challenges.

Santa Monica City Councilman Alan Katz said all politicians have to decide how much time they need to spend with voters in their home districts. But he added that there are real differences between the demands made on a candidate in a tough political race and on one who is enjoying a cakewalk.

‘Well Entrenched’

“In a competitive race, the campaigning would already be going on now,” Katz said. “Normally, if you are in a tough fight, you are appearing at every Kiwanis, Rotary Club and PTA meeting, plus candidates’ forums. You are also spending a lot of time raising money. But these guys are well entrenched.

“They will still go to meetings,” added Katz, who also serves as chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy. “It will just be less intense. Instead of meeting with two or three groups per evening, they meet with one. They also spend more time working on substantial issues during the political season.”

Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) will spend the fall meeting with voters, promoting his recently published memoirs, registering new Democrats, supporting two initiatives and working in support of the Dukakis campaign.

The assemblyman said he and his political organization, Campaign California, hope to register 50,000 new Democrats on the Westside by November. The group is also backing Proposition 84, a tobacco tax initiative, and Proposition 99, a bond issue aimed at providing housing for the homeless.

Hayden said he expects to give $50,000 to the state Assembly Democratic Caucus and $150,000 to the statewide Dukakis effort. Celebrities affiliated with Network, a political group founded by Hayden and his wife, actress Jane Fonda, will also canvass the state on behalf of Dukakis, Hayden said.

Hayden said Dukakis has Democrats fired up. “He seems to be the kind of candidate who can rise above the occasion, not just to the occasion,” Hayden said. “He will really go after the swing votes. That’s a winner talking.”

Closer to Home

Assemblyman Burt Margolin (D-Los Angeles) said his thoughts are closer to home this campaign season. The assemblyman said his primary goal is electing more Democrats to the state Legislature before reapportionment in 1990.

Margolin said he expects to work for Democratic candidates in other districts and will also donate money to their campaign coffers.

“Those of us who are concerned about maintaining a strong Democratic majority must do what we can,” Margolin said. “There’s a lot at stake.”

Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Tarzana) said he’s not sure how he’ll divide his time. Like Margolin, Friedman expects to play a role in promoting Democratic candidates. He also wants to work on the Dukakis campaign and spend as much time as possible in the district that first elected him in 1986.

Vacation Time

“Whether I run a full-blown campaign remains to be seen,” said Friedman. “But I am not going to spend any money that I don’t have to spend.”

Most politicians don’t like to talk about their vacations, especially if they come during election time. But a few conceded that their fall schedules also call for some rest and relaxation.

Beilenson and his wife will spend two weeks hiking in Canada. Levine hopes to compete in a national baseball tournament in Arizona. Hayden will return to a Los Angeles Dodger fantasy training camp if a rotator-cuff injury heals.