Pubdate:9597

Source:Orange County Registermetro,page  POLITICS:The jurist suggests he may enter the hotly contested 46th District
race.
By TERI SFORZA
The Orange County Register

Judge James P. Gray was soundly cursedand accused of trying to murder
childrenwhen he committed political blasphemy in 1992.

He declared that America had lost the war on drugs,and desperately needed a
new battle plan.

Now the controversial Orange County judge may take the law into his own
hands:  He is "very seriously considering" a run for Congress in the
Republican primary next year.

He would be vying for the 46th District seat against Anaheim City
Councilman Bob Zemel, another man known for rocking the boat, and Orange
family attorney Lisa Hughes.

The seat is now occupied by Rep. Loretta Sanchez, DGarden Grove, who
narrowly beat Republican Robert K. Dornan in an election that is still
being contested.

"It's been in my mind for quite some time," Gray said Thursday. "I feel I
have a contribution to makeand not just in the area of drug policy. I'm
52. My kids are grown. And I think if ever is the time, now may be the time."

Gray intends to form an exploratory committee to see if he's a viable
candidate. If he does decide to tun, he will take an unpaid leave of absence.

He envisions "reasonable laws that bring back a system of
accountabilityboth individual as well as corporate," he said. "I'd like to
use programs that work, and repeal ones that don't."

Gray is a former federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney for the
U.S. Navy. He was appointed to the Municipal Court bench by Gov. George
Deukmejian in 1983, and to Superior Court in 1989. He served in the Peace
Corps for two years in Costa Rica.

"I think I have a background and experience level that can help move our
country forward," he said. "As corny as it sounds, I think I can make a
difference."

Potential opponent Zemel has made a name for himself as a contrarian on the
Anaheim Council. Zemel opposed the city's deal with Disney to take over
Anaheim Stadium, saying it cost the taxpayers money. He balked at a a city
order that he must be silent about negotiations with Disney and not share
information with the public.

Potential opponent Hughes has made a name for herself as a community
activist. She chairs the state Lottery Commission and also sits on the
Public Finance Advisory Committee, formed after Orange County's bankruptcy
to scrutinize county fiscal matters. She is on the boards of a number of
community organizations, including the Orangewood Children's Home. 

But neither has stirred up the hornets as Gray has. In a recent "open
letter" to federal drug czar Barry McCaffrey, Gray wrote; "Our great
country is reeling from wounds which we have been inflicting upon ourselves
because of our current failed drug policy. ...

"Our present policy has made cocaine the most lucrative crop in the history
of mankind. It has made marijuana the most lucrative crop in my home state
of California. Our present policy is directly funneling tens of billions of
dollars per year into organized crime, with all of its accompanying
violence and corruption, both in our country and around the world."

Gray wants the nation to get over its fear of discussing other approaches
to the problem.

"The government has an obligation, and an ability, to make available true
and accurate information, and let people make their own choices and let
them be responsible for those choices," he said.