Although Stein grew up in Los Angeles, he became a confirmed San Diegan back when he drove his car down here to attend UCSD as a political science major.. He paid for his education by working as a computer technician, and when he graduated he went to Washington, where he soon found a job taking advantage of his major and his work experience. He went to work for Rep. Jay Dickey (R-Ark), handling the computers in his Capitol office.

"I asked if eventually I could switch to issues, and they said I could have whatever was left over by the rest of the staff." Because Dickey represented a rural district, his staff members wanted agricultural assignments, leaving such "left overs" for Stein as "defense, foreign affairs, and trade." In that capacity, Stein gained legislative expertise on the North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA), travelling with other congressional staffers to Mexico.

NAFTA was a hot issue in Bilbray's campaign against incumbent Rep. Lynn Schenk (D-San Diego), who shared many of organized labor's worries about the act. Stein went to work on Bilbray's campaign, and following his election, served in his Washington office as a senior legislative assistant dealing with issues like trade, defense, biotechnology and communications. About three years ago, he came to San Diego to runt he district office.

His top priority now, Stein says, is to help make certain that there is a "smooth transition" in constituent case work from Bilbray's staff to the staff of Congresswoman-elect Susan Davis (D-San Diego). She will be sworn in on Jan. 3. -- Donald H. Harrison