A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

Oklahoma Republican Steve Largent, the third-term congressman who last year unsuccessfully challenged Majority Leader Dick Armey (Tex.) for the House's second highest leadership post, said he is shutting down two political action committees he created last year.

"The only thing at this point that appeals to me politically would be to come back to the state of Oklahoma and look at the governor's race in 2002," Largent said.

"I'm just like any other New Yorker with Secret Service protection." First lady Hillary Clinton, lampooning her Senate bid at Saturday's N.Y. Legislative Correspondents Association dinner. Newsday, June 12

• Largent Signals State Ambitions for 2002 Race
(The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, June 12)
• Leadership for America's Future PAC
(FEC Info)
• Majority Leader Fights for Post
(The Washington Post, Nov. 13, 1998)
• CQ Profile: Rep. Steve Largent
• Races by State: Oklahoma

Lazio Launches First Television Ad
Republican Rep. Rick Lazio launched his first television ad in his Senate campaign against Hillary Clinton. The 60-second spot emphasizes his New York roots and introduces his biography.
• Introducing the Native
(The New York Times, June 12, registration required)
• Races by State: N.Y. Senate

Bush Disputes Newspaper's Claim of Unfair State Executions
Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush disputed a Chicago Tribune report this weekend that called into question the fairness of Texas's death penalty. A similar report in the paper prompted Illinois Gov. George Ryan (R) to put a moratorium on executions in the state.
• Death Penalty Used Fairly, Bush Says
(The Dallas Morning News, June 12)
• Flawed Trials Lead to Death Chamber
(The Chicago Tribune, June 11)

Calif. Republicans Fight Over Veterans in Key House Race
Republican Rep. James Rogan and Democratic challenger Adam Schiff are fighting over who is more friendly to veterans.
• Rogan, Schiff Vie to Champion Vets' Issue
(The Los Angeles Times, June 10)
• California Races: District 27

Sierra Club Makes Partial Peace With Old Foe Gorton
Sen. Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) stood with a Sierra Club executive last week to press for higher emissions standards for sport-utility vehicles, a few weeks after the group ran television ads calling Gorton an enemy of the environment.
• Gorton, Sierra Club in Rare Agreement
(The Seattle Times, June 12)
• Races by State: Washington Senate

N.D. Democrat Makes First Economic Development Speech in Key Race
In one of the nation's most highly contested gubernatorial races, North Dakota Democrat Heidi Heitkamp unveiled her first economic development plan Friday with a speech highlighting a proposal to reinvigorate the state's lignite coal industry. Heitkamp is unopposed in Tuesday's primary and will face Republican John Hoeven in November.
• Heitkamp Announces Lignite Policy
(Bismarck Tribune, June 10)
• Races by State: South Dakota Governor

Calif. Democrat Struggling to Win Fundraising Race
California Democrat Gerrie Schipske, who is challenging GOP Rep. Steve Horn for his House seat, is far short of the June 30 fundraising goal that she must attain in order for the national party to lend a hand in the 38th District.
• Schipske Faces Key Hurdle in 38th District
(Los Angeles Times, June 12)
• California Races: 38th District