A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, September 2, 1998

Kentucky Republican Gex Williams sent a letter to the parents of home-schooled students suggesting that volunteer work on his campaign would have great educational value. "We will have projects that the entire family can work on together," the letter said.

"It's in the job description. You must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen and on television." – Political ad producer Dan Payne, on the importance of television campaigns. (The Boston Globe, Sept. 2)

Williams, who is running for the the 4th District House seat being vacated by Republican Senate nominee Jim Bunning, also home schools his children. Denying allegations that the campaign is taking advantage of youngsters, Williams's campaign manager, Craig Hendricks, said he remembers handing out campaign buttons for Richard Nixon and Barry Goldwater when he was 5 and 9 years old. "I personally found it one of the most valuable things I had an opportunity to do as a child," he said.
Williams Wants Children to Help His Campaign (Lexington Herald Leader, Sept. 2)
Elections Guide: Kentucky 4th District (washingtonpost.com)

Wilson Decision on Calif. Primary May Show Presidential Aspirations
California Gov. Pete Wilson's decision to sign or veto a bill to move up the state's presidential primary may indicate whether or not he plans to seek the Republican nomination in 2000. If Wilson approves the bill, California's presidential primary would move from June to the first Tuesday in March. That earlier date might allow Wilson to survive poor showings in earlier primaries by giving him a home state advantage to win California – and 20 percent of the electoral votes needed for nomination – at a relatively early stage. Wilson hasn't made public whether he will sign the measure.
Bill Would Change Date for Primary (Sacramento Bee, Sept. 1)
White House 2000: Republicans (washingtonpost.com)

Fla. Primary Loss Sends Former Bush Running Mate Out of Office
Once a rising star in the Florida Republican Party, Secretary of State Sandra Mortham was first forced off Jeb Bush's gubernatorial ticket and is now out of the running to keep her job. Mortham, who has been chastised for using her office for self-promotion, lost the GOP primary to state Sen. Katherine Harris.

Things went pretty much as expected in the other primaries in Florida and Nevada Tuesday night. Democratic Lt. Gov. Buddy MacKay will face Republican Jeb Bush in the Florida governor's race and Sen. Harry M. Reid (D) and Rep. John Ensign (R) will compete for Nevada's Senate seat.
Mortham Loses GOP Primary for Secretary of State (The Miami Herald, Sept. 2)
Florida Election Returns (Florida Secretary of State)
Key Race: Florida Governor (washingtonpost.com)
Jones, Guinn Win Landslides (Las Vegas Journal-Review, Sept. 2)
Ensign Rolls to Big Win Over GOP Rival (Las Vegas Journal-Review, Sept. 2)
Nevada Election Returns (Nevada Secretary of State)
Key Race: Nevada Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Seattle Newspaper Publisher Runs His Own Political Ads
The publisher of the Seattle Times is running full-page ads in his newspaper, urging people to vote against a proposition that would end affirmative action by banning racial and gender preferences in government hiring.
Times Publisher Starts Ads Opposing I-200 (The Seattle Times, Sept. 1)

Indiana University Gives Retiring Congressman a Paying Gig
State-run Indiana University is making Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton's retirement from office a little bit easier. The university is creating a center for congressional study to be headed by the 34-year congressional veteran.
A Post-Congressional Post for Lee Hamilton (The Star News, Indianapolis, Sept. 1)
Hamilton's Plans for the Center (Indiana University Center on Congress)
Congressional Guide: Rep. Lee Hamilton (washingtonpost.com)

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