Gerald N. Felando (December 29, 1934 in San Pedro, California - August 23, 2023 in San Pedro, California)[1] was an American politician from California and a member of the Republican party. He was a practicing dentist with an office in Torrance when he began his political career.[2]
Gerald N. Felando | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 51st district | |
| In office December 6, 1982 – November 30, 1992 | |
| Preceded by | Marilyn Ryan |
| Succeeded by | Curtis R. Tucker, Jr. |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 52nd district | |
| In office December 4, 1978 – November 30, 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Vincent Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Frank Hill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 29, 1934 San Pedro, California |
| Died | August 23, 2023 (aged 88) San Pedro, California |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | San Pedro, California |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California, College of Dentistry. |
| Occupation | Dentist |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Coast Guard |
State Assembly edit
In 1978 Felando ran for the 51st district in the California State Assembly and defeated veteran 19-term incumbent Vincent Thomas (D-San Pedro), the dean of the Democratic delegation, in what turned out to be a great year for Republicans across the state.[3] In 1980 Felando won reelection over Democrat Louis L. Dominguez, a onetime district staffer for Thomas, by more than 7 points.[4] This would be Felando's last close general election race until 1992.
In 1981 reapportionment merged Felando's 52nd assembly district with the neighboring 51st, then represented by Republican Marilyn Ryan. He faced off against Ryan in the 1982 Republican primary and attacked her past oposition to 1978's Proposition 13, which was very popular in her district, as well as labeling her as "one of the most liberal Republicans in the legislature". [5] Despite the fact that she represented 85% of the redrawn district, Felando narrowly defeated her in an upset.[6] He went on to easily beat Democratic attorney Peter S. Helfer (who would be appointed to the Sacramento Superior Court in 2011)[7] in the general election.
In 1984 Felando had another easy reelection, this time against Democrat Doris G. Tate, mother of murdered actress Sharon Tate.[8] In 1986 he routed Democratic attorney Jon Mercant.[9]
In 1988, however, he faced a stiff and expensive primary challenge from Dean Dana III, son of then Los Angeles County Supervisor Dean Dana. Felando had declared a run for the congressional seat of Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Long Beach) but decided to seek reelection to the assembly instead when it looked like Lundgren was going to run for reelection.[10] The younger Dana had already declared for the seat and refused to back off once Felando reentered the race, spending more than $700,000 against the incumbent in an ultimatley unsuccessful effort. In the general election Felando easily defeated Democratic Torrance city councilman Mark Wirth.[11]
After an easy reelection in 1990 (against Marilyn Landau, an administrative assistance at RAND corporation),[12] Felando himself was defeated in an upset in 1992 by Democrat Betty Karnette, a teacher at South Gate Middle School,[13] in the redrawn 54th assembly district. [14]
In 2000 he made one last unsuccessful run for state assembly, this time for the Torrance-based 53rd district represented by Democrat George Nakano.[15]
Death edit
On August 23, 2023 Felando died in his home in San Pedro.[1]
Electoral history edit
| Year | Office | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | California State Assembly District 52 |
Vincent Thomas | 27,462 | 44.9% | Gerald Felando | 33,737 | 55.1% | |||
| 1980 | California State Assembly District 52 |
Louis L. Dominguez | 33,684 | 43.2% | Gerald Felando | 40,476 | 51.% | |||
| 1982 | California State Assembly District 51 |
Peter Helfer | 34,775 | 29.9% | Gerald Felando 51.6% Marilyn Ryan 48.4% |
77,833 | 66.8% | |||
| 1984 | California State Assembly District 51 |
Doris G. Tate | 38,406 | 28.4% | Gerald Felando | 93,014 | 68.7% | |||
| 1986 | California State Assembly District 51 |
Jon Mercant | 30,056 | 27.5% | Gerald Felando | 75,879 | 69.3% | |||
| 1988 | California State Assembly District 51 |
Mark Wirth | 47,780 | 34.3% | Dean Dana III 44% Gerald Felando 56% |
87,394 | 62.7% | |||
| 1990 | California State Assembly District 51 |
Marilyn Landau | 39,016 | 37.6% | Gerald Felando | 60,580 | 58.3% | |||
| 1992 | California State Assembly District 54 |
Betty Karnette | 78,400 | 51.9% | Gerald Felando | 66,282 | 43.9% | |||
| 2000 | California State Assembly District 53 |
George Nakano | 53,849 | 64.3% | Gerald Felando | 53,017 | 32.7% |
References edit
- ^ a b "Longtime former Assemblymember Gerald Felando of San Pedro dies at 88". dailybreeze.com. 2023-09-29. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ Legislature, California (1989). "California Legislature at Sacramento".
- ^ "JoinCalifornia – 11-07-1978 Election". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved Apr 5, 2024.
- ^ "JoinCalifornia – Louis L. Dominguez". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved Apr 10, 2024.
- ^ https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2008/06/25/leader-shaped-peninsula-south-bay/
- ^ https://www.lavote.gov/docs/rrcc/official-returns/OER-000-06081982.pdf
- ^ https://trellis.law/judge/peter.s.helfer
- ^ "JoinCalifornia – Gerald N. Felando". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved Apr 10, 2024.
- ^ https://www.joincalifornia.com/election/1986-11-04
- ^ California Journal Vol. XIX, No.12 (December 1988) "Campaign '88". StateNet Publications, December 1988
- ^ California Journal Vol. XIX, No.12 (December 1988) "Campaign '88". StateNet Publications, December 1988
- ^ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-landau-437ba611
- ^ California Journal Vol. XXIII, No.12 (December 1992) "'92 Election Results". StateNet Publications, December 1992
- ^ https://www.joincalifornia.com/election/1992-11-03
- ^ https://www.joincalifornia.com/election/2000-11-07
External links edit
- JoinCalifornia, Election History for the State of California