A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, September 24, 1998

For the second time in as many weeks, a Democratic candidate has signed an affidavit that he has not cheated on his wife. Gary Mueller, the Illinois Democratic congressional nominee from the 11th District, vowed that has not had an extramarital affair, abused his wife or other family member, had a homosexual relationship, taken illegal drugs or been convicted of a felony. He has already apologized for offending anyone by his inclusion of a homosexual relationship on the list. He said he does not think homosexual relationships are immoral.

"With Chuck Schumer you have someone who is the same in private as he is in public." – Hillary Rodham Clinton, at a Manhattan fund-raiser for Schumer, the Democratic Senate candidate in New York. (The Daily News, Sept. 24)

Last week, Missouri Senate candidate Jay Nixon signed a similar pledge.
• U.S. House Hopeful Signs No-Cheating Pledge (The Chicago Sun-Times, Sept. 24)
• Elections Guide: Illinois 11th District (washingtonpost.com)

Scandal Prompts Ind. Write-In Candidacy
While Texas Gov. George Bush (R) has said that the Clinton scandal is making him rethink his White House bid, a similar scandal in Indiana prompted a new candidate to enter the 6th District congressional race. Douglas W. Garlinger said his write-in candidacy against Republican Rep. Dan Burton was prompted by the congressman's admission of adultery. Garlinger, who said he had voted for Burton in the past, has set a modest goal for his long-shot bid: "Don't make a fool of myself." Aside from Burton, Garlinger also faces a Democratic candidate who is a cross-dresser and a felon.
• Can't Stomach Congress Candidates? Order Off Menu (The Star-News, Indianapolis, Sept. 22)
• Elections Guide: Indiana 6th District (washingtonpost.com)

Gonzalez Returns to Congress After 11 Months Away
Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez (D-Tex.) unexpectedly returned to Washington on Wednesday, 11 months after he left to recuperate from a July 1997 heart infection. Gonzalez's son, Charlie, who is seeking to replace his father after he retires at the end of this session, said that he did not think his father was returning simply to support Clinton.
• Lawmaker Says He's Over Illness, Heads Back to Congress (The Dallas Morning News, Sept. 24)
• Congressional Guide: Henry B. Gonzalez (washingtonpost.com)

Senate Candidates Dismiss Criticism From Conservation Group
Republican Senate candidates in two key races said Wednesday that their inclusion on the League of Conservation Voters' "Dirty Dozen" list did not accurately reflect their position on environmental protection. Nevada Rep. John Ensign said that the group gave 30 Democrats lower scores than his.
• Conservationists Take Aim at Ensign(Las Vegas Review-Journal, Sept. 24)
• Key Race: Nevada Senate (washingtonpost.com)

North Carolina Sen. Lauch Faircloth, who scored six out of 100 possible points, is the only incumbent senator on the League's list of candidates targeted for defeat. His campaign manager said Faircloth "is leading the fight to fund pfiesteria research, stop offshore oil drilling, protect our coastal estuaries."
• Faircloth Gets Spot on Dirty List (The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 24)
• 1998 Dirty Dozen Profiles (League of Conservation Voters)
• Key Race: North Carolina Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Democrats File Finance Complaint Against Ark. Republican
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee filed a complaint to the Federal Elections Commission on Wednesday saying that Arkansas Republican Senate candidate Fay Boozman took more money from state and local parties than the law allows.
• National Democrats Complain About Boozman Contributions (The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Sept. 24)
• Key Race: Arkansas Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Fong's California Campaign Under Investigation for Fund-Raising
Republican Senate candidate and California Treasurer Matt Fong is under investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission for taking money from people who ask for help from a state agency that Fong oversees. Fong is in a tight race with Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer.
• Fong Backers Do Business With Agency Heads (San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 23)
• Key Race: California Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Democratic Challenger Leads Money Race in Ala. Gubernatorial Race
Alabama Gov. Fob James (R) is in an unusual position for an incumbent: He has less money than his Democratic challenger, Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman (D). Don't count James out, though. The governor was outspent in the 1994 primary and general election, and still won.
• Siegelman Leads James in Funds Race (Birmingham News, Sept. 22)
• Key Race: Alabama Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Ariz. Challenger Loans Himself $100,000 to Keep Up With Governor
Arizona Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paul Johnson loaned his campaign $100,000 to keep up with the $1.5 million raised by Republican Gov. Jane D. Hull. Johnson, who has raised about $700,000, said Hull is being controlled by special interests. Hull said Johnson's donation indicates that his campaign is not about "ordinary people," but personal wealth.
• Johnson Loans His Campaign $100,000 (Arizona Republic, Sept. 22)
• Elections Guide: Arizona Races (washingtonpost.com)

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