A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, Feb. 19, 1998
Update: 11:55 a.m. EST

U.S. Rep. Robert Livingston, a key Republican from Louisiana, announced this morning that he will run for an 11th term in the 1st District. On Tuesday, Livingston's retirement was all but certain. Wednesday, however, was an "agonizing" day of meetings with congressional leaders, according to Livingston's chief of staff.

"We're like a Dickens Christmas tale up here: the past, the present and the future." – California Gov. Pete Wilson (R), standing alongside his Republican predecessor George Deukmejian and GOP hopeful Dan Lungren. (The Los Angeles Times, Feb. 19)

Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke had said he would consider running for Livingston's seat if he retired.

Livingtson is chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and a strong political ally of House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Livingston May End Retirement Rumors by Running Again (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 19)
Crowd of Contenders Awaits Livingston Decision (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 19)

Calif.: Lungren Hits Road With 'Evangelical Fervor' While Harman Keeps Mum
California's Republican Attorney General, Dan Lungren, officially kicked off a three-day bus tour Wednesday to officially begin his gubernatorial bid. Lungren's speeches are getting attention for their frequent references to the "soul" and "spirit" of the state.

Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jane Harman made her first public appearance since announcing her candidacy for governor, but she said she would not reveal her views on issues until on or after March 6, when she "officially" kicks off her campaign.
Lungren Kicks Off Run for Governor (The Los Angeles Times, Feb. 19)
An Old-Fashioned Candidate on the Campaign Bus (The Los Angeles Times, Feb. 19)
Lungren Opens Campaign With Evangelical Fervor (San Francisco Chronicle, Feb. 19)
Harman Still Not Talking About Her Platform (The Los Angeles Times, Feb. 19)

Georgia Democrats Silence GOP Attack on Affirmative Action
A bitter fight over the future of affirmative action programs in Georgia may be over for this legislative session. Republican House member Earl Ehrhart had been attempting to tack on anti-preference language to just about every bill considered. But Wednesday, Democrats tacked onto a bill their own amendment calling for the continuation of current state hiring preferences.
GOP is Thwarted on Hiring Efforts (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Feb. 19)

It's Woo Pig 'Sue' for Razorback Politicians
A state Ethics Commission investigation into the integrity of campaign finance reports filed Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) got more complicated Wednesday. The panel sued the governor to force him to obey subpoenas. On Feb. 2, Huckabee sued the commission, contending that it had violated state laws in its investigation of him.
Panel Wants Huckabee to Obey, Sues (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Feb. 19)

Black Florida Democrats Raising Cash – for GOP
Black Democrats upset with the ousting of Rep. Willie Logan as House Democratic leader are teaming up with Republican lawmakers to raise money.
GOP, Black Democrats Team Up at Fund-Raisers (The Miami Herald, Feb. 19)

Governor's Shifts Causing Mistrust in Washington
Washington Gov. Gary Locke's shifts on issues – most recently on gay marriage – has even his Democratic colleagues on edge. The mistrust of Locke goes back to his 1996 campaign, when the Republican House speaker straight-out called him a liar. Locke supporters say the governor is, at worst, being ambiguous and choosing his words carefully.
Technically Speaking, Locke's Style Rankles Legislators (Seattle Times, Feb. 18)

Iowa's Osterberg Announces for Senate
Former Iowa state Rep. David Osterberg plans to launch his bid for the Democratic nomination to oust incumbent Republican Sen. Charles Grassley. Osterberg, a University of Iowa professor, will face former U.S. Rep. Dave Nagle in the primary.
Mount Vernon Democrat Seeks U.S. Senate Bid (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Feb. 18)