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By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Tuesday, July 12, 1998

For most ambitious politicos the idea is to move from local office up to a statewide or federal seat, but Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) is moving in the other direction. He wants to be elected mayor of Chicago in 1999.

"There is so much stuff on TV, people are learning not to notice information." – House Speaker Newt Gingrich, on TV campaign clutter in his home state of Georgia. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 14)

Perhaps there's a good reason for the unusual move. In Washington, Rush is a third-term member of Congress whose only assignment is the House Commerce Committee. In Chicago, the Daley family has built the monolithic office of the mayor into a powerful political machine that can turn the tide of almost every other state and federal race in Illinois. Rush isn't the only Illinois congressman considering a mayoral run. U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) is considered a likely candidate in 2003.

Rush Takes Step Toward Mayoral Bid (The Chicago Tribune, July 14)
Congressional Guide: Rep. Bobby Rush (washingtonpost.com)
Congressional Guide: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (washingtonpost.com)
Biography of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (City of Chicago)

Florida's Bush Gets Primary Challenger
Political newcomer Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder on Monday announced she will challenge Jeb Bush for Florida's Republican gubernatorial nomination. Florida Lt. Gov. Buddy MacKay (D), who was supposed to be the candidate hindered by tough primary opposition, has dispatched with his Democratic challengers. But Bush's new primary foe is expected to be anything but tough for the GOP heavyweight, who has been running for governor since losing a bid for the office in 1994.
Sarasota Woman to Face Bush in Primary (The Miami Herald, July 14)
Key Race: Florida Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Record Number of Georgia Candidates on TV
With a week to go before Georgia's July 21 primaries, candidates up and down the ballot are fighting it out on the airwaves. On local television news shows, as many as five 30-second political ads are being jammed together during a commercial break.
TV Land: Political Ads at Every Click of Remote (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 14)
Key Race: Georgia Governor (washingtonpost.com)
Key Race: Georgia Senate (washingtonpost.com)

California Tribes Sign Gambling Agreement With Governor
Six native California tribes signed an agreement Monday with Gov. Pete Wilson (R) that will allow them to continue operating casinos on their land. Thirty-three other tribes still refusing to sign a pact with Wilson are sponsoring a November ballot initiative that would legalize slot machines and banked games at tribal casinos.
Indian Tribes Sign Gaming Pacts (San Francisco Chronicle, July 14)

Two More Candidates Weigh In on HMOs
Two more candidates are inoculating themselves against public frustration with managed-care health plans. On Monday, Rep. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who is challenging Democratic Sen. Harry Reid for his seat, said he would introduce a measure in the House today that would mimic a 1997 Nevada state healthcare law. Tennessee Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Whitaker unveiled his "Truth in Healing" plan on Monday as well.
Ensign Launches Health Bill (Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 14)
Key Race: Nevada Senate (washingtonpost.com)
Whitaker Cites 'Corrupt' HMOs, Outlines Restrictions (The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, July 14)

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