If you own a TV, you might have noticed a campaign advertisement or two from a couple of guys trying to win the Democratic primary for the California governor’s race.
Steve Westley and Phil Angelides don’t have the name recognition that an Arnold Schwarzenegger does, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been shelling out plenty of money — in Mr. Westly’s case, much of it his own — to raise their profiles among likely voters.
They are the top two contenders in the June 6 primary, although there are a total of eight candidates vying for the chance to run as Republican Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Democratic opponent in November.
There are a plethora of minor party candidates and several Republicans, but no one else is mounting a serious challenge to the governor or running a high profile campaign in the primary.
Steve Westly
Mr. Westly, who was elected to the post of state controller in 2002, is an Atherton resident with strong local ties. Born in the Southern California town of Arcadia, he’s a graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School, and he earned both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Stanford University. He returned to Stanford to teach in the graduate school of business from 1991 to 1996.Mr. Westly is financing his campaign largely through his personal fortune acquired as an early executive at eBay, which he joined in 1997.
He has a long history of involvement in politics, beginning in 1978 when he worked as a legislative aide for Congressman Leo Ryan. Mr. Westly has held various roles with the California Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee.
He defines himself as a tough fiscal watchdog, touting his efforts to fight tax cheats during his tenure as state controller, which he says netted the state an additional $3.5 billion over the past two years. Other sources put that figure closer to $1.5 billion.
He lives in Atherton with his wife Anita and their two children.
Mr. Westly’s campaign Web site is Westly2006.com.
Phil Angelides
State Treasurer Phil Angelides is a Sacramento native who was first elected to the post in 1998.He began his career working in state government from 1975 to 1983. He switched to the private sector, going into business as a real estate developer and planning and building the community of Laguna West.
He has been active in the California Democratic Party since the 1990s and was elected its chair in 1991. Mr. Angelides served as California co-chair of the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign in 2004.
While he, too, is a millionaire, he has financed his campaign largely through donations, and has been criticized by Mr. Westly for raising money from real estate and development interest groups.
He lives in Sacramento with his wife Julie and the youngest of their three daughters.
Mr. Angelides’ campaign Web site is Angelides.com.
INFORMATION
Information about the state gubernatorial primary and campaign spending can be found at SmartVoter.org, the League of Women Voters’ Web site. Candidates’ statements and other information can be found at the San Mateo County Elections Office Web site, ShapeTheFuture.org.CANDIDATE BIOS
Steve Westly
Residence: AthertonEducation: Menlo-Atherton High School; bachelor’s degree and MBA, Stanford University
Occupation: California state controller
Phil Angelides
Residence: SacramentoEducation: Harvard University graduate
Occupation: California state Treasurer
