A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, July 15, 1998

The white Florida lawmaker who six months ago replaced a black colleague as head of the Democratic state House leadership and opened a racial rift in the party announced Tuesday that she would not seek reelection.

"Whether I am reelected may be more of a factor in this president answering to the American people than whatever evidence Judge Kenneth Starr turns up. " – Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) in a recent fund-raising letter. (The Arizona Republic, July 15)

Rep. Anne Mackenzie's announcement was unexpected; Democratic state House members ousted Rep. Willie Logan was so Mackenzie could become speaker if their party should win control of the chamber in November. Logan and his supporters, who have made moves to punish their Democratic opponents, did not sound conciliatory upon hearing the news. Mackenzie's decision not to run leaves Democrats with three days to find a replacement for their House leader before Friday's filing deadline.

Lawmaker Behind Logan Ouster Opts to Retire Early (St. Petersburg Times, July 15)
State House Democratic Leader to Quit (The Miami Herald, July 15)

Measure to Close California's Presidential Primary Set for Ballot
Californians will vote in November to close part of the state's open primary system created by a successful 1996 ballot initiative. If approved, the new measure would "close" the presidential primary to prevent voters from crossing parties to select candidates.
Measure Would Limit State's Open Primary (The Sacramento Bee, July 14)

Calif. Candidates May Use Mexico Trips to Shore Up Home Support
California gubernatorial candidates Dan Lungren (R) and Gray Davis (D) are planning trips to Mexico to show their support for improving relations with the state's southern neighbor.
Davis, Lungren to Take Campaign to Mexico (San Francisco Chronicle, July 15)
Key Race: California Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Forget Intel, Candidate Financials are Due Out
The first reports are in from today's required federal campaign finance filings, and U.S. Rep. Jim Bunning (R) is far ahead of U.S. Rep. Scotty Baesler (D) in the race for the seat of retiring Sen. Wendell Ford (D-Ky.). Bunning has $1.6 million in the bank, compared to Baesler's $340,000.
Rivals for Senate Put Positive Spin on Fund Reports (Lexington Herald-Leader, July 15)
Key Race: Kentucky Senate (washingtonpost.com)
Intel Profit Is Lower Than Expected (The Washington Post, July 15)

Candidate Advised Trading Cash for Influence; Nets Own Donations
Democratic congressional candidate Shelley Berkley said a month and a half ago that she had advised a former boss to offer political favors in exchange for a new hotel project. In the last three months, donors gave her campaign $185,000.
Berkley's Political Fund Raising Not Hindered by Disclosures (Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 15)

In Nevada, Personal Ad Is Political Ammo
Nevada's Democratic Party chairman apologized Tuesday for a phony personal ad that at first appeared to come from Rep. John Ensign (R-Nev.) and now seems to have been sent from Democratic headquarters in Reno. The fax, sent to a Reno newspaper, sought male companionship for someone claiming to be Ensign. Ensign is challenging Democrat Harry Reid for his seat in the Senate.
Personal Ad Embarrasses Democrats, Stuns Congressman (Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 15)
Key Race: Nevada Senate (washingtonpost.com)

In Donor Letter, Ariz. Congressman Says He's Key to Clinton Downfall
Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) wrote a letter to supporters recently telling them that his reelection is a critical element in the outcome of obstruction of justice charges against President Clinton. The letter mentions an "unholy alliance," "radical homosexual rights groups," the "Red Chinese", and "other wacko left-wing organizations."
Hayworth Mails Vitriolic Appeal (The Arizona Republic, July 15)
Congressional Guide: J.D. Hayworth (washingtonpost.com)

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