Prominent Losers in June Primaries Ponder Their Futures Out of Office

For years they had represented South Bay residents. But after losing in the June 2 primaries, four longtime politicians--U.S. Rep. Mel Levine, former Torrance City Councilman Dan Walker, and Assemblymen Dave Elder and Richard Floyd--suddenly face a life outside public office.

Levine (D-Santa Monica) talks vaguely about finding a private sector job that has “input” into government policy. Floyd (D-Carson) wonders whether to sell his mobile home to tide himself over financially.

And Elder (D-San Pedro) figures now might be the time try to try his hand at insurance or real estate, although he has not ruled out running for the Los Angeles City Council. Walker, the only one of the four who has a job outside government, just wants to take it easy.

“The last three weeks were probably the most stressful in my life,” said Walker, defeated in the Republican primary in the 53rd Assembly District after giving up his council seat. “One day a poll shows you closing in or almost even. Then, the following day, disaster strikes.”

Few experiences drain and dispirit as thoroughly as losing an election, especially if the loser is a veteran officeholder. Accustomed to being at the center of power, losing politicos suddenly find themselves relegated unceremoniously to the margins.

Many prove resilient, making a political comeback or prospering in another career. But at least in the short term, experts say, life for losing politicians is not pleasant.

“Initially, the majority of them are depressed and tend to take it personally,” said Allan Hoffenblum, a Republican political consultant. “There’s no greater high than winning on Election Day, but there’s no greater low than losing.”

Said Democratic political consultant Jerry Seedborg: “Politics is a business where there aren’t many consolation prizes.”

Among the highest-profile losers was Levine, 49, who decided to forgo a run for reelection to compete for the seat of retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Alan Cranston.

Levine, whose district reaches from Santa Monica into El Segundo, Inglewood and the beach cities, had a charmed career until June 2--his first electoral defeat.

He won a seat in the Assembly in 1977 and in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. The Almanac of American Politics described 1992 as his “make-or-break” year to move to higher office or find something else to do.

Voters picked the latter course for him, placing him third in the Democratic Senate primary behind U.S. Rep. Barbara Boxer, the victor, and Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy. The result clearly surprised Levine, who had thought he was gaining the upper hand in a tight race with Boxer until published polls just before the election showed her opening up a wide lead.

“It was very disturbing news,” Levine said, adding ruefully, “We had never done any polls of our own, which in retrospect might have been a mistake.”

Levine said he has since been contacted by businesses, law firms and the presidential campaign of Democrat Bill Clinton. But for the time being, he said, he has no firm plans.

“Being a lawyer and having policy experience gives me the prospect of crafting a private sector job with public policy input,” he said. Pointing out that his congressional term does not expire until the end of the year, he added: “I’ve got six months to sort this out.”

Manning the same boat are Elder and Floyd, who were poised for a head-to-head battle in the new 55th Assembly District’s Democratic primary. They suffered a stunning loss to Juanita McDonald, a Carson councilwoman.

Both incumbents campaigned full bore, raising nearly $900,000 between them in 1992, while McDonald got by on less than $180,000, according to fund-raising records. In interviews last week, both seemed dazed in defeat.

Elder, saying he shed 25 pounds walking precincts, described the campaign as particularly grueling because he had to wage it while performing his Assembly duties. “I’m just glad it’s over,” he said. “There is no way to describe that level of campaigning.”

The two assemblymen say they have not yet begun making concrete plans. Elder has mentioned a few possibilities--among them, selling life insurance and real estate.

“I have an insurance license and a real estate license but just never had a chance to go into those fields,” said Elder, 50, who worked for the Port of Long Beach for five years before winning his Assembly seat in 1978.

Elder said supporters are encouraging him to run for Joan Milke Flores’ San Pedro-based Los Angeles City Council seat if she succeeds in her campaign for Congress.

“I’ve had people asking me to run, but I have not made any decisions (since the election),” Elder said. Noting that he is busy with legislative work, he added: “I’m trying to get to a point where I can take time off to think about it.

Floyd, 61, an aide to state Sen. Ralph C. Dills (D-Gardena) for 11 years before winning his Assembly seat in 1980, said he is trying not to think about the future until December, when he has to give up his Assembly seat.

“Thinking about that, I wouldn’t make sense with myself right now,” he said, asserting that the rigors of the campaign have left him reeling. Asked about the possibility of an Elder candidacy for City Council, Floyd said, “The man must be a glutton for punishment.”

Floyd said he has, however, begun wondering whether to sell his mobile home in Carson or his Sacramento condominium. “Given my situation now, I can’t keep them both,” he said.

The 51-year-old Walker a management and public relations consultant, has a private sector job to fall back on, unlike Elder, Floyd and Levine. Still, Walker for years had been looking for an opportunity to run for higher office and was deeply disappointed by his loss.

Supremely confident at the outset of his campaign, he was surprised by the victory of Brad Parton, the mayor of Redondo Beach. Walker said that as one of several moderate candidates in the race, he saw his potential vote split while Parton, a conservative, had party right-wingers to himself.

After 13 years as a councilman, Walker said he is still interested in public service but does not feel ready to think about what government office--if any--to seek.

“In elections like I had, you go from the mountaintop to the bottom of the valley,” he said. “I’m not going to put my tail between my legs and run off and retire in Palm Springs. But I’m going to take a deep breath and allow all that’s taken place to sink in.”