By Karen Ocamb

Steven Sion’s Democratic opponent Mike Feuer might seem like a favorite in the race to replace outgoing Assemblymember Paul Koretz in the heavily Democratic 42nd Assembly District. But Sion is undeterred, shaking every hand he can grasp in an effort to win the seat in the Nov. 7 elections and change the direction of the district.

“I am running to provide a new era of leadership in our district and in my party,” Sion, 43, told IN Los Angeles magazine. “West Hollywood is my home and I believe that I can unite this community in a new era of leadership. I feel that once people hear my message they will realize that my values and vision for our community are very much in line with the majority of the residents here. We want fiscal responsibility, and we want progress, not politics as usual, on public education, health care, border security, and keeping employment opportunities here. In the process, I will be on the forefront of tearing down any and all remaining walls of intolerance and discrimination in our society—particularly, what may be the final frontier of discrimination, that based on one’s sexual orientation.”

A Log Cabin Republican, Sion supports Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger but doesn’t appreciate President Bush’s advocacy of the federal amendment banning same-sex marriage. Schwarzenegger “was right to repeal the tripling of the car tax, reform workers’ compensation, and hold the line on tax and spend. In fact, without raising taxes, this year we have increased revenues in the state, which we have not seen in a very long time. The governor has also been attentive to issues affecting the gay and lesbian community, signing into law more pro-gay and lesbian bills than any governor before him,” Sion said. “On the issue of the marriage-equality bill the governor vetoed last year, what we have to understand is that because of Prop. 22, the voters in the state voted on how to define marriage here in California. The only way to overturn a measure that becomes law through a ballot initiative is either to go back to the voters to have them reverse their decision through another ballot measure or if the courts decide the measure is unconstitutional. It cannot be done by passing a bill as the Legislature attempted to do last year.”

On Bush, Sion said, “I do not support the way in which the marriage-equality issue has been handled. I disagree with the president’s approach in calling for a constitutional amendment, which would deny states the right to define marriage. I will work to evolve the party on this issue.”

Sion said he is “speaking to a whole new generation of voters, and a public wanting leadership on issues we have in common.” To find out more about his views, visit www.sionforassembly.com.