Features

Davis, Simon hit the road in races’ final hours

By Alexa H. Bluth
Monday November 04, 2002

LOS ANGELES – With less than 48 hours until election day, Gov. Gray Davis and challenger Bill Simon raced to seal key votes Sunday and urged residents to get to the polls. 

Davis set out on a two-day sweep through the state, jetting from port cities to the farm-rich inland valley. He was with fellow candidates on a slate that hopes to win the first Democratic sweep of statewide offices in California history. 

Davis began the day at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ, telling a predominantly black congregation that he has worked to improve access to health care and education for all. 

He urged them to vote for Democrats. 

“This election is not about me,” he said. “It’s about you and your future. It’s about your children and their future. With your help and God’s blessing, we’ll continue to make progress for all Californians.” 

Davis then took a charter jet to San Diego for a get-out-the-vote rally with union workers. 

Meanwhile, Simon and his Republican ticketmates were joined by Arizona Sen. John McCain at a rally in San Diego’s Balboa Park. About 200 people were at the outdoor stop. 

McCain, co-author of the bill that overhauled federal campaign finance rules, delivered a stinging attack against the governor’s fund-raising practices. 

Davis “has put a for-sale sign on the governor’s office of the state of California, in violation of everything I’ve ever stood for and believed in,” McCain said. 

There have been a series of controversies surrounding the governor’s collection of some $68 million in contributions, including some from donors with personal stakes in state business. 

In his speech, Simon repeated his attacks on the governor’s fund-raising tactics and handling of the state’s recent energy crisis. 

“He’s broken his word on so many occasions, and that’s why when Gray Davis asks for four more years, I respond, how about three more days?” Simon said.