Cox Gets His Nicaraguan, but It’s Mario, Not Adolfo

C. Christopher Cox, a GOP congressional candidate in the heavily Republican 40th District, thought he had engineered a coup.

In an area of Southern California renowned for its conservatism, where President Reagan’s loyalty to the Nicaraguan Contras is not widely questioned, Cox had hoped to score points by bringing Contra leader Adolfo Calero to town for a headline-grabbing campaign appearance.

It was scheduled for Saturday. The media had been alerted, and invitations to a private reception with Calero had been sent to Cox’s key supporters.

Thursday, the Cox campaign confirmed that Calero would appear on Cox’s behalf at the private Pacific Club in Irvine for a reception.

There is just one hitch: it is Mario Calero, not Adolfo, who is flying in at Cox’s expense to wow conservative ideologues over juice and sweet rolls.

Knows Nothing of Campaign

It seems Adolfo never knew about his campaign appearance with Cox, according to Marta Scacasa, Calero’s chief spokeswoman in Miami.

“Mr. Calero is leaving (today) for Central America, and he knows nothing of Mr. Cox’s campaign,” Scacasa said in a telephone interview Thursday. “We are are trying to negotiate peace in Central America. It’s not appropriate to be flying around making appearances.”

Carlos Rodriquez, Cox’s Sacramento-based political consultant who helped arrange the scheduled visit, acknowledged late Thursday that the Contra leader was not coming and that his younger brother, Mario, would appear instead.

“We knew all along that the situation was fluid,” Rodriquez said. “We are disappointed, but he is pursuing a higher mission, and we wish him well.”

Cox, former senior associate counsel to President Reagan, said friends of his and Calero’s in Washington contacted his campaign several weeks ago about helping him in the 40th Congressional District race. In his job at the White House, Cox said, he worked on behalf of the Contras, seeking more military aid for their cause.

Cox said he jumped at the offer.

“After all, this is a Republican primary,” he said, “seeking Republican votes.”