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SACRAMENTO – Some familiar names are popping up in the field of candidates for statewide office next year. 

From a former longtime secretary of state re-emerging to try to reclaim her old job to state legislators whose terms are up, the crop of candidates for the state's top offices is shaping up. 

Seventy-seven people from seven political parties have said they intend to run for the state's seven statewide partisan positions. Some are household names, others newcomers to politics. 

The partisan statewide offices up for grabs this election cycle are governor, secretary of state, controller, insurance commissioner, treasurer, attorney general and lieutenant governor. 

Of those posts, Gov. Gray Davis, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, state Treasurer Phil Angelides and Attorney General Bill Lockyer, all Democrats, are seeking re-election. 

The remaining three partisan statewide offices are open. 

The only Republican currently holding statewide office, Secretary of State Bill Jones, is leaving his post because of term limits and running for governor. 

According to a list of potential candidates, here's how the races are shaping up: 

_ The governor's race, the most high profile, has 17 potential candidates. Three Republicans are 

considered serious contenders for the nomination to challenge Davis: Former Los Angeles Mayor 

Richard Riordan, Jones and Los Angeles businessman Bill Simon. 

_ State Sen. Republican Bruce McPherson is the key Republican vying to challenge Bustamante for 

lieutenant governor. 

_ Secretary of state is a crowded field. Former Secretary of State March Fong Eu, a Democrat who 

held the position for nearly two decades before term limits, wants to reclaim the job. Also running 

are Michela Alioto, the 1998 Democratic nominee for the post, and Assemblyman Kevin Shelley, a 

San Francisco Democrat. Former Assemblyman Keith Olberg, a Republican from Victorville, is 

considered the strongest GOP primary contender. 

_ The race for controller is promising a Republican primary battle between state Sen. Tom 

McClintock, a Northridge Republican, and Board of Equalization member Dean Andal, of Stockton. 

Democrats Steve Westly, a former Silicon Valley executive with eBay Inc. and a newcomer to 

politics, and board of equalization member Johan Klehs also are running. 

_ Angelides could be challenged by Phillip Conlon, a Republican and former member of the Public 

Utilities Commission appointed by former Gov. Pete Wilson. 

_ State Senator Dick Ackerman, R-Fullerton, filed papers indicating he might challenge Lockyer. 

Also considered a contender in that primary race is Republican Bill Crosby, an attorney from Orange 

County. 

_ A three-way Republican primary is shaping up for the open seat of insurance commissioner. 

Assemblyman Tom Calderon of Montebello; former state insurance commissioner John Garamendi 

of Walnut Grove; and former state assemblyman Tom Umberg of Orange County, all Democrats, all 

are running. 

The primary election is March 5, and the general is in November 2002. 

Potential candidates have filed declarations of intent. Candidates who file the declarations do not 

have to run for office. They have until Dec. 7 to say whether they want to be on the ballot. 

___ 

On the Net: See a list of the candidates in the elections section of http://www.ss.ca.gov and 

information on some of the candidates can be found at http://www.calvoter.org 

Headline: 

Crop of candidates solidifying for statewide races 

Category: 

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Creation Date: 

11/16/2001 17:02:18  

Submit Date: 

11/16/2001 17:02:25  

By Line: 

By ALEXA HAUSSLER  

Title: 

Associated Press Writer 

Object Name: 

CA CALIFORNIA CANDIDATES,BJT,ADV19,1ST LD-WRITETHRU 

ID: 

K5827 

Source: 

The Associated Press 

Credit: 

(AP) 

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