73RD ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

PATRICIA C. BATES

A longtime community leader, Bates won the primary with an endorsement by incumbent Republican Assemblyman Bill Morrow, who is running for the state Senate.

* Political party: Republican

* Age: 58

* Residence: Laguna Niguel

* Education: Bachelor of arts, psychology, Occidental College, 1962; attended University of Madrid; graduate work in counseling, psychology, Cal State Long Beach.

* Career highlights: Founding mayor of Laguna Niguel; vice chair, El Toro Reuse Planning Authority, which opposes an airport at El Toro; board member, Saddleback Community College and South Coast Medical Center Foundation.

* Priorities: Improve state education system. Push tort reform. Promote opportunities for local government.

ROBERT D. WILBERG

A county parks technician and union leader, Wilberg ran against Morrow in the 1996 Assembly race and ran for Dana Point City Council in 1994.

* Political party: Democrat

* Age: 57

* Residence: Dana Point

* Education: High school graduate, St. Joseph, Minn.

* Career highlights: Elected to Capistrano Bay Park and Recreation District, 1990; member of Dana Point Community Services Commission, 1994-95; CORO Fellow, Orange County, 1992.

* Priorities: Increase public education funding. Provide better support for working families. Protect consumers from discriminatory practices by health maintenance organizations.

OTHER CANDIDATES: Donald D. Rollins of the Libertarian Party and Matteo Ornati of the Natural Law Party.