A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Friday, September 18, 1998

While Washington focuses on scandal, candidates facing off in three gubernatorial contests over the last week addressed more common concerns, such as taxes, education and farm regulation.

"I'm surprised at Hank's attitude. He wasn't so youthful. He was 37 or 38." – Cherie Hancock Soskin, on her former affair with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-Ill.). (The Dallas Morning News, Sept. 18)

Thursday's impromptu 15-minute exchange between Georgia state Rep. Roy Barnes (D) and GOP businessman Guy Millner was probably the most contentious debate. Meeting his rival on the back of a flatbed truck in Atlanta, Barnes wouldn't even shake Millner's hand at first.
• Millner, Barnes Seize the Moment (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sept. 18)
• Key Race: Georgia Governor (washingtonpost.com)

The exchange between Kansas Gov. Bill Graves (R) and Democratic challenger Tom Sawyer last weekend was much more civil. They argued over college scholarships and funding for education, as did Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) and Republican Bill Sizemore on Monday.

Graves said he liked working with Sawyer, who was leader of the Kansas state House Democrats. "I wish him the best in everything he does in the future – other than his run for governor," Graves said.
• Graves, Sawyer Civil in Debate (The Wichita Eagle, Sept. 13)
• Elections Guide: Kansas races (washingtonpost.com)
• Kitzhaber, Sizemore Hit Familiar Differences (The Oregonian, Sept. 15)
• Elections Guide: Oregon races (washingtonpost.com)

State Democrats Concerned About Impeachment Fallout
Democrats at the state level are concerned about the toll that the House Judiciary Committee's review of the independent counsel report on President Clinton could have on two key races. On Tuesday, committee member Charles Schumer of New York won the Democratic nomination to challenge GOP Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. Schumer is already struggling to balance his hefty duties on the Judiciary Committee with the demands of what will be a tough campaign. Letting down his guard on either one could lead to Schumer's defeat.
• Clinton Issue Encroaches on Schumer's Senate Run (The New York Times, Sept. 18, registration required)
• Key Races: N.Y. Senate (washingtonpost.com)

In another key race, Rep. Bob Inglis (R-S.C.) is using his position the Judiciary Committee to launch attacks against vulnerable Democratic Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings.
• State Lawmakers Predict Fallout From Clinton Affair (The Chicago Sun-Times, Sept. 18)
• Key Races: S.C. Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Then there's New Mexico's Candelaria family which has voted Democratic in every election for generations. But no more, they say.
• Clinton Scandal Pushes Longtime Dems to GOP (The Albuquerque Journal, Sept. 16)

In Wake of Close Primaries, Parties Grapple With Nominees
Party leaders in Massachusetts and Washington were struggling with how to handle nominees that they had opposed in Tuesday's primaries. Prominent Massachusetts Democrats are expected to announce this morning that they are throwing their support to Republican Gov. Paul Cellucci, rather than support their nominee, Scott Harshbarger.
• Democrats at Odds Over Harshbarger (The Boston Globe, Sept. 18)
• Key Races: Massachusetts Governor (washingtonpost.com)

On the other side of the country, much of Washington's Republican congressional delegation vowed to support Rep. Linda Smith in her bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Patty Murray.
• GOP Backs Smith Even Though She Wasn't Party's Pick (The Seattle Times, Sept. 17)
• Key Races: Washington Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Fund-Raising Roundup: Illinois, Nevada, Colorado
The Nevada Democratic Party may be one of the few state Democratic organizations to raise more than their Republican counterpart in recent months. From October 1997 through this August, Democrats took in $1.8 million to the GOP's $1.7 million.
• Two State Parties Raise About $2 Million Each (The Las Vegas Journal-Review, Sept. 18)

To help boost Democratic fund-raising in Illinois, state House Speaker Michael Madigan began calling Democratic members on Sunday asking for donations ranging from $2,500 to $25,000.
• Madigan Calls on His Majority to Ante Up Again (The Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18)

Colorado Lt. Gov. Gail Schoettler's Democratic campaign for governor and a supporter were fined $14,520 for not disclosing the value of some T-shirts donated to her campaign.
• Schoettler Camp Fined (The Denver Post, Sept. 16)
• Key Races: Colorado Governor (washingtonpost.com)

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