Democratic Rep. Harman to Run for Governor in California

By Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 5, 1998; Page A05

Rep. Jane Harman, a moderate Democrat with enough cash to finance what will be one of the most expensive campaigns in the nation, yesterday declared her candidacy for governor of California.

Harman, 52, made her announcement in Washington, communicating to roughly 50 reporters through a special telephone hookup. Hours earlier, Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, a moderate Republican, declared he would not enter the contest to run the largest state in the nation.

Until yesterday, the main competitors for the Democratic nomination were Lt. Governor Gray Davis, a liberal Democrat, and multimillionaire Al Checci, former co-chairman of Northwest Airlines. Checci has already spent $6.5 million on television commercials and is reportedly prepared to spend from $30 million to $50 million in what appears certain to be the most expensive statewide primary ever. Attorney General Dan Lungren, a conservative, is virtually assured of the GOP nomination.

The election will be viewed as a key test of partisan strength in a state that had been reliably in the Republican presidential column but was a source of crucial support for Bill Clinton in both his campaigns. In addition, the next governor will have the power to sign or veto the upcoming congressional redistricting plan approved by the legislature. After 2000, the California delegation will make up more than one-eighth of the entire 435-member U.S. House of Representatives.

Harman has a socially liberal, fiscally conservative and pro-business record. She is a supporter of abortion rights and gender-integrated armed services, while backing the death penalty, term limits and a balanced budget constitutional amendment.

Harman said Bill Carrick, a veteran California political strategist, will play a major role in her campaign. Carrick ran the campaigns of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Riordan's reelection effort. Harman indicated that she hopes to win the endorsement of those two officials, even though Riordan is a Republican.

Harman's own wealth has been estimated at $15 million, but her husband, Sidney Harman, 79, is chairman of Harman International Industries and is reported to be worth around $200 million.

Harman declined to say how much she intends to spend in the primary, although aides expect it will be around $15 million. She also declined to say how much she and her husband will kick in and said she will try to raise a substantial amount from sources outside her family.

This year, California will pick party nominees in a fully "open" primary, in which Democrats, Republicans and independents can choose in every race – senator, governor, representative, etc. – whether to vote in the GOP or the Democratic contest.

Because of this, Democratic candidates will be seeking support from independents and Republicans, especially moderate Republicans who find Lungren too conservative.

Staff researcher Ben White contributed to this report.