Gerald N. Felando

Gerald N. Felando (December 29, 1934 – August 23, 2023) 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.

State Assembly

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. In 1980 Felando won reelection over Democrat Louis L. Dominguez, a onetime district staffer for Thomas, by more than 7 points. 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 opposition 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". Despite the fact that she represented 85% of the redrawn district, Felando narrowly defeated her in an upset. He went on to easily beat Democratic attorney Peter S. Helfer (who would be appointed to the Sacramento Superior Court in 2011) in the general election.

In 1984 Felando had another easy reelection, this time against Democrat Doris G. Tate, mother of murdered actress Sharon Tate. In 1986 he routed Democratic attorney Jon Mercant.

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. 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 ultimately unsuccessful effort. In the general election Felando easily defeated Democratic Torrance city councilman Mark Wirth. Felando himself was defeated in an upset in 1992 by Democrat Betty Karnette, a teacher at South Gate Middle School, in the redrawn 54th assembly district.

In 2000 he made one last unsuccessful run for state assembly, this time for the Torrance-based 53rd district represented by Democrat George Nakano.

Death

On August 23, 2023 Felando died in his home in San Pedro, at the age of 88.

Electoral history