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June 02, 1998

But perhaps the most high-priced, high-stakes primary is the California governor’s race. In the Democratic race, the top three candidates will spend nearly 100-million dollars in the primary alone in one of the most expensive media blitzes in election history. In fact, this race sets the all-time record for a non-presidential race.

The front-runner, Lieutenant Governor Grey Davis, has a reputation for courting Hollywood donors, crashing other politician’s events to find contributors, and for blending fundraising with his "official duties". Davis is also the son of a Time Inc. executive. The Davis campaign has spent roughly 9-million dollars —- and that’s the lowest amount spent by any of the front— runners.

The wealthiest of the three is multi-millionaire Alfred Checchi. The former co-chair of Northwest Airlines, he alone has pumped roughly 40 million dollars into his own campaign. That is more than any other non-presidential candidate has ever spent on a primary and general election combined.

The third candidate in the Democratic race, Representative Jane Harmon, is nicknamed "B-1 Jane" and is well known in general for her advocacy for weapons manufacturers. Her campaign has reportedly spent nearly 20-million dollars.

Guests:

• Steve Scott, is the political editor of The California Journal, an independent monthly journal covering politics and government in California
• Alejandro Balotta, is the state editor of the Los Angeles Spanish- language daily La Opinion.
• Andy Igrejas, is the legislative director of the California Public Interest Research Group, or CALPIRG.

Related Links:

• PIRG