Paul Clinton
BURBANK -- Not alone in its move to the political left, Burbank
followed the state's broader trend in the Nov. 7 general election.
Just as California gave its 54 electoral votes to Vice President Al
Gore, Burbank residents also punched Democratic ballots significantly
more often than Republican ones.
At the top of the ticket, Burbank handed 55.4% of the vote to Gore and
only 37.1% to Texas Gov. George Bush. Green candidate Ralph Nader secured
4.1% of the city's votes.
The Democratic dominance continued down the ballot. In the closely
watched race for the 27th Congressional District seat, state Sen. Adam
Schiff (D-Burbank) racked up 56.5%, while incumbent James Rogan
(R-Burbank) grabbed only 39.4%.
In the waning days of the campaign, pundits said Rogan might be hurt
by his leading role in the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. UCLA
Political Science Professor Barbara Sinclair said that wasn't the only
issue on the minds of voters.
"Basically, the district is changing demographically and politically,"
Sinclair said. "If Rogan had sat out of the impeachment thing, he still
would have been targeted and would have lost."
Tom Campbell, the Republican crushed in his attempt to unseat U.S.
Sen. Diane Feinstein, also took it on the chin in Burbank. Feinstein took
54.9% of the popular vote, while Campbell captured only 32.3%.
The lower-profile races mirrored those that attracted more attention.
In the race for the 21st state Senate seat, Democrat Jack Scott took
60.2% to Republican Paul Zee's 35.7%. For the 43rd state Assembly
District seat, Democrat Dario Frommer captured 62.3% to Republican Craig
Missakian's 34.6%
Sinclair said votes in the state races in the Burbank-Glendale area
probably followed the presidential race.
"These races usually don't get enormous amounts of coverage," Sinclair
said. "The coattail impact might be stronger."
HOW BURBANK VOTED
The following is a breakdown of how Burbank voted based on general
election results released by the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder's office.
President
Al Gore (Dem.) 55.4%
George W. Bush (Rep.) 37.1%
Ralph Nader (Green) 4.1%
Harry Browne (Lib.) 0.5%
Patrick Buchanan (Ref.) 0.5%
Howard Phillips (Am. Ind.) 0%
John Hagelin (Nat. Law) 0%
U.S. Senator
Dianne Feinstein (Dem.) 54.9%
Tom Campbell (Rep.) 32.3%
Medea Benjamin (Green) 3%
Gail Lightfoot (Lib.) 1.8%
Diane Templin (Am. Ind.) 1.2%
J.L. "Joe" Camahort (Ref.) 0.7%
Brian Rees (Nat. Law) 0.5%
27th Congressional District
Adam Schiff (Dem.) 56.5%
James Rogan (Rep.) 39.4%
Miriam Hospodor (Nat. Law) 2.7%
Ted Brown (Lib.) 1.8%
21st State Senate District
Jack Scott (Dem.) 60.2%
Paul Zee (Rep.) 35.7%
Bob New (Lib.) 3.8%
43rd Assembly District
Dario Frommer (Dem.) 62.3%
Craig Missakian (Rep.) 34.6%
District Attorney
Steve Cooley 54.7%
Gil Garcetti 26.4%
Measure B (City Airport Measure)
Yes 80.2%
No 19.7%
