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By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, July 21, 1999

If there was any doubt about who was in charge of California politics, Gov. Gray Davis tried to put an end to it on Tuesday. He took credit for Democrats' sweeping electoral victories last year and told newspaper editors that stories tying campaign contributions to his policy decisions were, well, poultry dung. Davis said it was the Democratic legislators' job to "implement my vision."

"It was my vision that commanded a 20-point victory, the largest victory in 40 years.... Nobody else in the legislature ran statewide. Their job is to implement my vision." – Calif. Gov. Gray Davis, shaking his bland label and his legislators' nerves. (San Francisco Chronicle, July 21))

Davis's comments are likely to open a wide rift between the governor and his party's lawmakers. California has been widely described in national news publications as a potential source of power for the Democratic Party. But, those same articles refer to Davis as a bland politician.

• Davis Says He Calls All The Shots (San Francisco Chronicle, July 21)
• Key Stories: 1998 California Gubernatorial Race (washingtonpost.com, July 21)

California Candidates Begin Lining Up for Rep. Brown's Congressional Seat
The special election to fill California's 42nd District seat left vacant by Friday's death of Rep. George E. Brown Jr. (D) is likely to cost more than $2 million. The Southern California district is home of several prominent state Republicans who could make a strong bid for the seat. Brown, who was in his 18th term, won three of his last four terms with 51 percent of the vote. The special election, to be held between Nov. 10 and Nov. 26, will be a bellwether for the 2000 battle for control of the House.
• Special Election Will Fill His Seat (Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, July 17)
• Congressional Guide: 42nd District Profile (washingtonpost.com)

Mississippi Attorney General Turned Down Federal Post
Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore (D), who spearheaded the states' suit against the tobacco industry, said Monday that he had turned down a White House offer to become the third highest official in the Justice Department. Moore, often mentioned as a gubernatorial prospect, faces a reelection vote on Nov. 2.
• Moore Says He Turned Down Federal Position (The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss., July 21)

Prosecutor: Pataki Staff Pushed Release of Contributor's Son
During opening arguments Tuesday at the trial of a state Board of Parole member, a U.S. attorney told New York jurors that members of Republican Gov. George Pataki's staff lobbied to gain the release of an armed robber whose father had contributed to Pataki's campaign.
• Prosecutor: Pataki Staff Pushed for Parole for Contributor's Son (Newsday, July 21)

Leading Washington State Republican Will Make Congressional Run
Washington state Sen. Dan McDonald (R) is stepping down from his leadership position to run for Congress against Rep. Jay Inslee (D).
• McDonald Eyes Move to Congress (The Seattle Times, July 20)

Ky. Republicans May Gain Majority the Easy Way
Kentucky Democrats, who lost their majority in the state Senate for the first time with the recent defection of one of its members, is at risk of losing its 19-19 parity. State Sen. Bob Leeper said he was also thinking about switching to the Republican party.
• Another Senate Democrat Weighs Defecting to GOP (Lexington Herald-Leader, July 21)

Montana Lt. Gov. Will Run for Governor
Montana Lt. Gov. Judy Martz on Monday became the first Republican to announce her 2000 gubernatorial campaign. Gov. Marc Racicot (R) is term-limited.
• Martz Announces Bid for Governor (The Billings Gazette, Montana, July 20)

S.D. Governor Readmitted to Hospital
South Dakota Gov. Bill Janklow was readmitted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., following successful exploratory cancer surgery. Doctors believe he is fighting an infection.
• Janklow Back in Minnesota Hospital (The Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, S.D., July 20)

Ryan Thornburg can be reached at ryan.thornburg@washingtonpost.com