A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Tuesday, May 26, 1998

Today's primaries in Kentucky and Idaho are the calm before next Tuesday's eight-state storm. In Kentucky, U.S. Rep. Scotty Baesler is facing Charlie Owen and Lt. Gov. Steve Henry in the Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Wendell Ford (D). The race for Baesler's House seat is an open fray with seven Democrats and two Republicans.

"It's like having the candy displayed at the checkout counter. You're getting people's attention just before they ring up." – Claremont McKenna College professor Jack Pitney, on the benefits of California's open ballot to minor party candidates.(The Sacramento Bee, May 25)

Idaho Republican Dirk Kempthorne is also retiring from the Senate to run in an unopposed primary for governor against unopposed Democrat Jack Wayne Chappell. U.S. Rep. Mike Crapo is the lone Republican running for Kempthorne's Senate seat against Bill Mauk, the lone Democrat.

Candidates Seek Last-Minute Support (Lexington Herald-Leader, May 26)
6th District's Nine Contenders Cover the Bluegrass to Turn Out the Vote (Lexington Herald-Leader, May 26)
Election Night Returns (Kentucky Secretary of State)

Historic Debate Launches Final Week of Calif. Campaigns
Four California candidates participated in the first Spanish-language gubernatorial debate Saturday. Univision, the television network which sponsored the debate, translated the candidates' comments into Spanish for their exclusive live broadcast.
Gubernatorial Hopefuls Hold Landmark Forum (Los Angeles Times, May 24)
Live Debate Broadcast Will be Spanish-Only (The Sacramento Bee, April 23)

Even though Green Party candidate Dan Hamburg wasn't invited to last month's gubernatorial debate, he used an online forum to get his ideas before the people of California.
Minor Parties Fight for Equal Treatment (The Sacramento Bee, May 25)

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jane Harman is both blessed and cursed by the financial prowess of her husband, audio equipment manufacturer Sidney Harman.
Harman Wealth Creates New Conflict Issues (Los Angeles Times, May 26)

Sierra Club Takes Sides in Calif. Senate Race
In California's first blanket Senate primary, the Sierra Club is touting Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer as a champion of the environment in its latest radio and cable TV ads. Two Republicans are vying to challenge Boxer in November.
Environment a Key Issue in U.S. Senate Race (The Sacramento Bee)

Georgians Get Early Jump on Media Blitz
Georgia candidates for governor are revving up their broadcast campaigns with eight weeks left before the July 21 primary. In the last seven days, Democratic candidate Lewis Massey and GOP hopeful Guy Millner began running their TV spots. Two other Democrats, state Sen. Steve Langford and former labor commissioner David Poythress, reserved television time during the last week of the campaign. A fourth Democrat, State Rep. Roy Barnes, has already used $1.4 million to air out his ideas.
Air Time: Campaign Media Blitz Heads to TV (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 26)

Cha-Ching! S.C. Gambling May Pay Off for Candidate
With six days left in the South Carolina legislative session, the politically contentious video poker industry may survive without further regulation. While Gov. David Beasley (R) says he would like to outlaw the poker machines, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Hodges appears to be getting a political boost for his plan to expand gambling in the state. Hodges says his proposed lottery would raise nearly $200 million a year for education.
S.C. Video Gambling to Play On, It Appears (The State, Columbia, S.C., May 26)
Hodges Counts on Lottery for Big Boost in Governor's Race (The State, Columbia, S.C., May 26)

Clancy Future Doesn't Read 'October Surprise' for Minn. GOP
With his withdrawal of a $200 million offer to buy the Minnesota Vikings, author Tom Clancy has also withdrawn his fund-raising assistance to the state's Republican Party, much to its members' chagrin.
Republicans Bemoan Clancy Exit (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, May 26)

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