Kemp Heading to Laguna for a Working Vacation

LAGUNA BEACH —  Republican vice presidential hopeful Jack Kemp will arrive in Laguna Beach on Monday for a few days of sun and relaxation with some official business mixed in.

While Democrats rally in Chicago to renominate President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore, Kemp will vacation with his family on the Orange County coast, a Kemp spokesman confirmed Friday.

“It’s a natural,” said spokesman Dan Leonard, noting that Kemp and his wife, Joanne, are native Californians and that Kemp’s brother lives in Laguna Beach.

Vote-rich California holds a special allure for national candidates during election years.

During the recent GOP convention in San Diego, the Clinton campaign tried to schedule a Lake Tahoe or Yosemite vacation for the president and his family. In the end, thwarted by logistics problems, the Clintons headed for Jackson Hole, Wyo., instead.

Kemp will stay at the home of his brother, Tom Kemp, who said Friday that it promises to be an enjoyable week for his family, “no doubt about it.”

The junior member of the Dole-Kemp ticket was born and raised in Los Angeles and graduated from Occidental College. His football career eventually took him east to Buffalo, N.Y., where he went on to represent a western New York district in Congress. His wife was born and raised in Fillmore.

The Kemps will arrive here Monday, following a joint Santa Barbara appearance with GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole.

During his stay, Kemp is scheduled to travel to Los Angeles to visit some small entrepreneurial companies, possibly including some firms in South Central Los Angeles. Later in the week, Dole is scheduled to join him in Orange County for an event focusing on the Republican ticket’s economic package.

But the former pro quarterback still plans some pure vacation time during his Laguna Beach stay. He’ll relax on the beach, catch up with his family, “throw the football around,” Leonard said.

“This, as you know, is a lovely, relaxing setting. . . .” he said. “While the Democrats are having their convention in Chicago, there’s no better place to be than Southern California.”