However, it is the stark contrast of their positions on the two most divisive, passionate issues of our times  -- guns and abortion -- that convinces us to recommend Jack Scott.
Scott’s breadth of experience on and depth of knowledge of the issues he deals with as chairman of the Education Budget Subcommittee and as a member of the Assembly Education Committee serve well not only the 44th District but the entire state of California.

A graduate of Yale, he taught at Pepperdine University for 10 years before becoming a college administrator. He became president of Pasadena City College in 1987, and was instrumental in its later recognition as one of the best community colleges in the nation.
In 1996, Scott was the only Assembly candidate to defeat an incumbent when he won the 44th District seat. His accomplishments in the Legislature have been significant. In 1997, he introduced 17 bills and 11 of them were signed into law. Adding his 1998 legislation, a total of 25 new laws introduced by Scott are now on the books.

Many of Scott’s bills deal with education, but his support for limits on the ownership of guns is well known. His fifth child, Adam, was killed in a gun accident in 1993 at the age of 27.
Whereas LaCorte has no problem with allowing every household to have an assault rifle, Scott supports not only a ban on assault weapons, but also much tighter controls on cheap and dangerous handguns. Scott already has authored legislation that makes gun manufacturers more accountable for security at their plants to cut down on theft of firearms.
LaCorte is unabashedly anti-abortion; Scott is pro-choice.

LaCorte is probably best known for his efforts to publicize the whereabouts of released sex offenders on the Internet. Scott shares this concern, and supports this effort, although he expresses the same cautions we have in previous editorials on the subject.
For his proven leadership, centrist views and accomplishments to date, Jack Scott deserves your support.

Return him to his 44th District Assembly seat with your vote on Nov. 3.