U.S.

California Moguls Can't Buy Votes

June 1, 1998 / 7:08 PM EDT / AP

Politicians beat the millionaires at every turn in the most expensive primary in California's history, while Alabama Gov. Fob James disappointed social conservatives by being forced into an embarrassing runoff for the Republican nomination.

Six other states also held primaries Tuesday, but none had as crowded a ballot as California, where spending in the state's top races eclipsed $100 million.

Voters there made Rep. Jay Kim, the first Korean-American elected to Congress, the first incumbent to lose a primary this year, and gave Jerry Brown and Bob Dornan new political life. They also declared an end to the state's 30-year-old experiment in bilingual education and nixed a proposal to require unions to get members' approval before contributing to politicians.

Gray Davis
(CBS)

Lt. Gov. Gray Davis won the Democratic gubernatorial primary over Rep. Jane Harman and former airline executive Al Checchi, both of whom spent millions attacking each other in TV ads and virtually ignored Davis until it was too late.

"It's truly an experience money can't buy," Davis told supporters, playing on the campaign slogan that many say propelled him to victory: "Experience money can't buy."

Dan Lungren
(CBS)

Davis' win sets up a November race against Republican Attorney General Dan Lungren, who got 33 percent against token opposition in the state's first free-for-all open primary, in which anyone could vote for any candidate regardless of party affiliation. The top finisher in each party moved on the November election.

Republican Gov. Pete Wilson is barred by state law from seeking a third term.

In other California election news:

State Treasurer Matt Fong won the Republican Senate nomination by beating car-alarm mogul Darrell Issa, who pumped $10 million of his own money into the race, mostly for TV ads. Fong will face Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer.
Jerry Brown, the former governor and failed presidential candidate, was elected mayor of Oakland.
Bob Dornan won the right to a rematch against Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez. Dornan blamed voter fraud on his loss to Sanchez two years ago and has been fighting to get his seat back ever since. "This time, there is no cheating, and she knows it," Dornan said after winning the GOP primary.
Sanchez, who has steadfastly denied Dornan's allegations, said: "I personally am not looking forward to the nasty persona campaign that Bob Dornan runs."
Jay Kim never made a campaign appearance after he was sentenced to house arrest in Washington for accepting illegal campaign contributions. Ignoring his wife's plea to resign and her request for a divorce, Kim sought a fourth term. Instead, he lost the GOP nomination to state Assemblyman Gary Miller. The Democratic nomination went to Diamond Bar City Councilwoman Eileen R. Ansari, who was unopposed.

In Alabama:

Gov. Fob James said he wasn't embarrassed at being forced into a June 30 runoff with moderate businessman Winton Blount, despite the support of nationally known conservatives such as Jerry Falwell, Phyllis Schlafly, and Ralph Reed.
The Democratic nominee is Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman, who beat three rivals for the nomination.

In Iowa:

Republican Gov. Terry Branstad is retiring after four terms.
Former Rep. Jim Ross Lightfoot, the Republican nominee, faces Democratic state Sen. Tom Vilsack.

In New Mexico:

Former Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and will face Republican Gov. Gary E. Johnson, who was unopposed in his bid for a second term.
State Attorney General Tom Udall, son of former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, won the Democratic nomination in a crowded congressional primary for the right to challenge GOP Rep. Bill Redmond.

Written by Ned Kilkelly