Editors:
Here is the package of stories The Associated Press has prepared in advance of the Nov. 2 general election. All stories have moved.
For reruns, contact California Political Editor Tom Verdin at 916-448-9555.
CANDIDATE RACES:
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ California voters face a clear choice when they vote for governor in November: A disciplined executive who wants to bring business sense to state government, or an old political hand who says he has the skills to guide the state through troubled times. On the Republican side is Meg Whitman, a political neophyte who amassed a fortune in the corporate world and who runs a tightly scripted campaign focused on polling and targeting specific groups of potential voters. The Democrats have nominated Jerry Brown, a 72-year-old career politician well-known for his candor, gaffes and less-is-more style of campaigning. Former eBay chief executive Whitman, 54, and Brown, the state’s attorney general, are running neck-and-neck in an increasingly negative campaign that has been marked by Whitman’s record-breaking spending and Brown’s caginess. By Juliet Williams and Samantha Young.
Eds: Moved Friday, Oct. 8.
AP Photos.
CALIF GOVERNOR-WHITMAN PROFILE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Much of Meg Whitman’s life has been defined by discipline, from plotting her education and career trajectory to her eventual run for California governor. Her campaign has followed the same methodical template. By generously tapping her personal fortune, Whitman formed a campaign platform and execution plan early with an experienced, high-priced team of Republican operatives. So far, the nearly $122 million she has poured into her campaign from her personal fortune has pulled her into a tie with Democrat Jerry Brown in public opinion polls. But the billionaire former chief executive of online auction site eBay is learning that in politics, it’s sometimes the intangibles that make the difference. By Juliet Williams.
Eds: Moved Friday, Oct. 8.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Whitman Bio Box.
CALIF GOVERNOR-BROWN PROFILE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Jerry Brown sees himself as a regular guy who buys his suits on sale, drives around in a Ford Crown Victoria and enjoys dinner at home with his wife. What he wants Californians to see beyond is the Jerry Brown of three decades ago who was derisively dubbed “Governor Moonbeam.” The 72-year-old Democrat, locked in a close race with Republican Meg Whitman for governor, is determined to project an everyman image, a far cry from the eccentric Californian who romanced singer Linda Ronstadt along with a few other Hollywood actresses, recited poetry on the campaign trail and moved to Japan to study in a Buddhist monastery. Brown faces businesswoman and political novice Whitman, the billionaire former head of eBay who has spent almost $121 million of her own money to lead the nation’s most populous state, which has been wracked by ongoing budget crises. He has worked to transform his image into that of a feisty senior statesman whose only political ambition is to help his beloved state, where a persistent gloom hangs over its 38.6 million, recession-weary residents. By Samantha Young.
Eds: Moved Saturday, Oct. 9.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Brown Bio Box.
CALIFORNIA SENATE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Republicans feel events have finally converged to make this their year to defeat Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer. California’s economy is a wreck, and they have a candidate, former Hewlett-Packard Co. CEO Carly Fiorina, who is all about business. But Boxer sees it another way. In her view, the Republicans have nominated a challenger who outsourced thousands of jobs to China and India while making a fortune for herself. The stark contrast between the candidates has provided what both describe as the clearest choice in the nation as Democrats try to fend off a Republican push for control of Congress. In California, the message that resonates loudest with voters will determine whether Boxer is sent back to a fourth term in the Senate or Fiorina emerges victorious in her first bid for elective office. By Judy Lin.
Eds: Moved Thursday, Oct. 7.
AP Photos.
CALIF SENATE-FIORINA PROFILE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Carly Fiorina, the multimillionaire former Silicon Valley executive, is running for public office for the first time because, as she puts it, she wants others to be able to achieve what she has _ rising from a typing and filing secretary to become the only woman to have led a Fortune 20 company: “We’ve lived the American dream in every conceivable way,” Fiorina said in an interview. “And I think we’re making that dream too hard for too many people.” Fiorina’s life is less a story of rags to riches and more of a tale about a woman with drive. This year, she has turned her ambitions to the national political stage as she tries to unseat a three-term senator, Democrat Barbara Boxer. By Judy Lin.
Eds: Moved Wednesday, Oct. 6.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Fiorina Bio Box.
CALIF SENATE-BOXER PROFILE
WASHINGTON _ It’s a defining moment of Barbara Boxer’s political career: Seven female representatives marching to the Senate side of the Capitol to demand hearings on Anita Hill’s claims of sexual harassment. The picture, snapped nearly 20 years ago, hangs prominently in Boxer’s office. It symbolizes her trademark tenacity for the causes she holds most dear. Now Boxer faces a challenge unlike any other during her 28-year tenure in Washington. She confronts an electorate that desires to hold incumbents accountable for the economic woes that grip the nation. And she confronts an opponent, former Hewlett Packard Co. CEO Carly Fiorina, who is generating wide interest in conservative circles and has the distinct advantage of running as a political outsider. By Kevin Freking.
Eds: Moved Wednesday, Oct. 6.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Boxer Bio Box.
CALIFORNIA-CONGRESS
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ During a town hall event this summer, Republican Rep. Dan Lungren was eager to discuss voters’ concerns about the economy and health care reform. But he was visibly startled when a petite, middle-aged woman said she was part of the tea party and began scolding him for not voicing his conservative principles loudly enough in Washington. Lungren, who has represented a Sacramento-area district for 12 years, can’t risk alienating such voters this year, as he faces one of the toughest races of his political career. The 3rd District is one of four California contests that both parties have identified as highly competitive, while several other incumbents also are potentially vulnerable. Overall, three Republicans and four Democrats are thought to be at risk _ a high number in a state where heavily gerrymandered congressional districts have traditionally kept sitting politicians safe. By Robin Hindery.
Eds: Moved Monday, Sept. 27.
With:
_ BC-CA—California-Congress-Glance.
STATE LEGISLATURE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ This year’s state legislative elections are all about control of the purse strings in state government. Democrats seek unbridled control of budgeting and taxes, while Republicans hope to chip into the Democratic majority with support from angry tea party voters. If Democrats win two more seats in the Senate and four in the Assembly, it would give them the two-thirds majority they need to pass a budget and raise taxes without Republican support. By Don Thompson.
Eds: Moved Tuesday, Sept. 28.
With:
_ BC-CA—State Legislature-Glance, a look at the most competitive races.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
SAN FRANCISCO _ The lieutenant governor of California occupies an office with more responsibility than real power. Besides the most important function _ acting as the state’s chief executive when the governor is away _ the state’s second-in-command sits on the California Emergency Council, the Commission for Economic Development, the Ocean Protection Council, the State Lands Commission and two public university governing boards. If that sounds like a potential springboard to higher office, consider that out of the 46 men to previously hold the post, only nine have gone on to win the governorship. The last to do so, Gray Davis, was recalled from office 10 months into his second term. Yet two experienced officeholders, incumbent Abel Maldonado and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, are fighting for the unsung post this November as if their political lives depend on it _ which they might. By Lisa Leff.
Eds: Moved Friday, Oct. 8.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Lieutenant Governor-Bio Boxes.
SECRETARY OF STATE
LOS ANGELES _ Like the high-profile races for California governor and U.S. Senate, the race for secretary of state pits a seasoned politician against a businessman making his first run for public office. Damon Dunn wants to lead the office that oversees elections and voting systems in the nation’s most populous state _ a rather large leap for someone who never voted until last year’s statewide special election. Yet the Republican challenger, a former NFL journeyman turned real estate developer, says he’s a better option than Democratic incumbent Debra Bowen, a middle-of-the-road former state lawmaker whose first term was noteworthy for her top-to-bottom examination of voting systems used throughout the state. By Daisy Nguyen.
Eds: Moved Wednesday, Sept. 28.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Secretary of State-Bio Boxes.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ The campaign for attorney general has tarnished the reputations of rival prosecutors from California’s two most prominent cities while eclipsing what could be a robust debate over their conflicting positions on environmental law, gay marriage and criminal justice. Republican Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley built his career as a corruption fighter and prosecutor in high-profile cases, including those involving fugitive film director Roman Polanski and Michael Jackson’s doctor. He has been a moderate voice when it comes to enforcing California’s strict laws against sex offenders and career criminals. San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, a Democrat, evolved as a reformer, promoting policies and state laws aimed at the underlying social problems that lead to crime. She has shunned the death penalty, in keeping with her liberal city. Questions over campaign contributions and some of their actions in office have overshadowed the different approaches they would take if elected to an office of enormous statewide _ and often national _ influence. By Don Thompson.
Eds: Moved Monday, Sept. 27.
With:
_ BC-CA—Attorney General-Bio Boxes.
CONTROLLER
SAN FRANCISCO _ The election for California’s next controller, the state’s chief financial officer, is pitting a veteran Republican lawmaker against the Democratic incumbent in a rematch of the 2006 race. Republican State Sen. Tony Strickland lost to Controller John Chiang by more than 10 percentage points four years ago. But his fortunes may be better this time thanks to the enormous amounts of money being spent by Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman and a political climate that seems to favor Republicans. By Sudhin Thanawala.
Eds: Moved Wednesday, Sept. 28.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Controller-Bio Boxes.
TREASURER
LOS ANGELES _ State Treasurer Bill Lockyer has been involved in state politics for four decades, and he’s hoping voters will keep his momentum going. The Democrat is facing a challenge this year from state Sen. Mimi Walters, an Orange County Republican who has spoken out against what she sees as excessive government regulations and spending. By Greg Risling.
Eds: Moved Monday, Oct. 4.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Treasurer-Bio Boxes.
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
LOS ANGELES _ The insurance commissioners’ race might not feature boldface names, but the job is powerful and the winner will be tasked with navigating the changes brought by federal health care reform on the state level. The leading candidates are two state assemblymen who are termed out this year _ Democrat Dave Jones of Sacramento and Republican Mike Villines of Clovis. The two have ideological differences in how they approach the problems of double-digit health insurance rate increases and growing workers compensation insurance costs. By Raquel Maria Dillon.
Eds: Moved Tuesday, Oct. 5.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Insurance Commissioner-Bio Boxes.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
SAN FRANCISCO _ A teacher-turned-lawmaker and a retired district superintendent are competing to be California’s next education chief at a time when the state’s public schools are facing unprecedented financial challenges. Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, a veteran Democratic lawmaker from Contra Costa County, is running against Larry Aceves, a longtime school administrator who has never held public office, to replace Jack O’Connell as the state superintendent of public instruction. The next state superintendent will lead the California Department of Education as deep cuts in state funding prompt districts to lay off teachers, increase class sizes, close campuses, eliminate summer school and cut programs to help struggling students. By Terence Chea.
Eds: Moved Tuesday, Oct. 5.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—School Superintendent-Bio Boxes.
^BALLOT INITIATIVES:<
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
SAN FRANCISCO _ It’s the land of hippies, Humboldt County and Cheech and Chong. But in the state more closely associated with marijuana than any other, the ballot measure to legalize pot has exposed California’s conflicted relationship with the drug. Police, politicians and pot growers themselves have all taken unexpected positions on the issue. Polls show the public is deeply divided. By Marcus Wohlsen.
Eds: A preview of Proposition 19. Moved Sunday, Sept. 26.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—Marijuana Legalization-Glance. Moved Friday, Oct. 8.
CALIFORNIA-REDISTRICTING
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ The independent commission tasked with redrawing California’s legislative districts does not yet exist, but voters in November will have the opportunity to either greatly expand its reach or dismantle it entirely. Two opposing measures on the ballot would determine how the boundaries of the most populous state’s 120 legislative and 53 congressional seats are reconfigured in time for the 2012 election. By Robin Hindery.
Eds: A preview of propositions 20 and 27. Moved Tuesday, Sept. 28.
With:
_ BC-CA—California-Redistricting-Glance.
CALIFORNIA PARKS
LOS ANGELES _ Advocates for California’s state parks believe they have found the right balance between ensuring adequate money for the system and protecting taxpayers _ raise the vehicle license fee by $18 a year but give all California drivers free day-use access to all parks. They say the money raised by the vehicle fee will provide long-term, stable funding for a system that has been facing budget cut for years, resulting in reduced maintenance and regular closures of popular attractions. By Jacob Adelman.
Eds: A preview of Proposition 21. Moved Thursday, Sept. 30.
AP Photos.
With:
_ BC-CA—California Parks-Glance.
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE LAW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ If the supporters of Proposition 23 prevail in the Nov. 2 election, California’s landmark global warming law would be suspended indefinitely. But the out-of-state oil companies funding the initiative appear to have their sights set higher. Success in halting California’s climate-change law by showing that the public doesn’t support it would give momentum to the opponents of similar legislation that has stalled in Congress. By Cathy Bussewitz.
Eds: A preview of Proposition 23. Moved Tuesday, Oct. 5.
With:
_ BC-CA—Climate Law-Glance.
BUSINESS TAXES
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ The tax breaks targeted by Proposition 24 can be mind-numbing. But for voters, understanding the Nov. 2 ballot initiative comes down to a simple argument: Will repealing the tax breaks protect public schools and health care programs from future California budget cuts or will doing so prevent businesses from expanding and hiring? The initiative, championed by the California Teachers Association, would repeal three corporate tax breaks adopted by the Legislature in late 2008 and early 2009. They are estimated to save businesses an estimated $1.3 billion a year. By Judy Lin.
Eds: A preview of Proposition 24. Moved Monday, Oct. 4.
With:
_ BC-CA—Business Taxes-Glance.
CALIF BUDGET-PROPOSITIONS
SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Outside Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office is a clock, but it doesn’t tell the time. Rather, it tells how many days the state has been without a budget and calculates a running tab of how much that’s costing taxpayers. California’s legislators are notorious for delayed budgets, but this year they have surpassed themselves with the longest fiscal impasse in the state’s history. Proposition 25 seeks to put an end to the stalemates by allowing the Legislature to pass a budget by a simple majority vote, instead of the current two-thirds threshold. The high bar has long been blamed as a key culprit for the budget holdups. The initiative is one of three spawned by the state’s fiscal crisis on this November’s ballot. Propositions 22 and 26 both would change ways state and local governments obtain revenue. Proposition 25, however, is the broadest reaching of the three. By Christina Hoag.
Eds: A preview of propositions 22, 25 and 26. Moved Friday, Oct. 1, for immediate use.
With:
_ BC-CA—Proposition 22 Glance.
_ BC-CA—Proposition 25 Glance.
_ BC-CA—Proposition 26 Glance.
<
The AP<
Posted at 1:06pm and tagged with: one column,.
