No California Gubernatorial Bid For Sen. Feinstein

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AllPolitics, Jan. 20) -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein announced today she will not run for governor of California in 1998, saying that she has work left in the Senate to complete and does not want to engage in another brutal statewide campaign.

"I have decided I will not be a candidate for governor at this time," Feinstein told reporters in a telephone conference. "I made the decision definitely last week. It was like a huge weight that came off my shoulders."

Feinstein, 64, was viewed as the Democrats' best hope against GOP state Attorney General Dan Lungren. President Bill Clinton two weeks ago personally urged the Democratic senator to throw her hat into the race.

Feinstein had promised an announcement by the beginning of the new year, and Democrats were fast becoming frustrated with her indecisiveness.

"No decision I have made has received more thought and, I should say, given me more angst," the senator said in a written statement.

Advisors told CNN last week that Feinstein was scarred by her narrow 1994 re-election victory, when Republican millionaire Michael Huffington subjected her to months of attack ads financed with his own money.

"Campaigns in California have deteriorated to such a point that there is very little uplifting or constructive about the process, and I would rather spend this next year working on issues that can contribute something positive to the future of our state and our nation," wrote Feinstein.

The former San Francisco mayor lost her last gubernatorial run, a tough campaign against Republican Pete Wilson in 1990.

As another reason for ruling against a bid, Feinstein cited outstanding Senate work, including the "Gang Violence Bill and the Victims Rights Amendment," and new legislation she plans to introduce involving privacy and paparazzi and protections of California's drinking water.

Tuesday Jan. 20, 1998

• No California Gubernatorial Bid For Sen. Feinstein
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