Davis Runs ‘Live’ for Tucker Seat

The death this week of a patriarch, longtime 50th District Assemblyman Curtis R. Tucker (D-Inglewood), has caused a flurry of speculation and political jockeying among local and state Democratic leaders.

But on Thursday, Mike Davis, the Republican candidate in the 50th District, called on voters to remember a basic fact: Davis, a 34-year-old Inglewood businessman, is “now the only living candidate in the race.”

At a Westchester news conference, Davis criticized Democrats for urging voters in the heavily Democratic district to elect Tucker--whose name remains on the ballot--and thereby force a special election for the vacant seat.

Attempting to capitalize on what he called tremendous new interest in the race, Davis pledged to carry out Tucker’s policies if voters make history by electing him as the first black Republican assemblyman in 50 years.

“There has been a lot of talk about a special election,” said Davis. “As far as I’m concerned, this (Nov. 8) is a special election in that it places a deceased legend against a young, qualified candidate.”

Tucker died Sunday after months of treatment for liver cancer. The popular 70-year-old assemblyman had represented the district--which includes El Segundo, Inglewood, Lennox, part of south Los Angeles and Westchester--since 1974.

After a resounding primary victory over Inglewood Councilman Daniel Tabor, Tucker was considered an easy favorite over Davis in the Nov. 8 general election and a solid ally in the effort by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) to retain his speakership.

Davis has mounted unsuccessful bids in the past for the Assembly and the Inglewood school board. A longtime activist in Republican politics, he works for a business and governmental affairs consulting firm and has law degrees from Howard University and the University of Brussels in Belgium.

Although the predominantly black and Latino district is more than 70% Democratic, Davis said he wants to appeal to all voters, not just to the district’s Republican residents, who live predominantly in Westchester and El Segundo. He said he has made overtures to Republican leaders and local Democrats for support and hopes to raise $50,000 for campaigning in the last month.

“I don’t need a million dollars to win this race,” Davis said. “I just have to get the word out. . . . This race will be decided by the vast number of Democrats who live in the 50th District.”

Davis campaign manager William Wagstaff, a former Inglewood mayoral candidate, said the campaign has raised about $5,000 so far.

Davis outlined general positions on gangs, economic opportunity, education and health care, calling for increased employment opportunities, economic development and a partnership between the district’s more affluent west side and poorer east side.

If elected, Davis could represent a key vote for Republicans and conservative Democrats attempting to oust Brown, who reportedly hoped to elect two new allies to the 80-member Assembly in November and forge a 41-vote majority, including Tucker.

When asked if Assembly Republicans could count on him to cast a crucial vote against Brown, Davis did not answer directly. He said such a decision would be determined by the wishes of his constituents and pledged to “continue the legacy” of Curtis Tucker.

But Brown has already said he intends to continue that legacy by supporting Tucker’s son, Curtis Tucker Jr., for that seat.

And the younger Tucker and other local Democrats said this week that their first priority is to secure a victory for the elder Tucker.

If the elder Tucker gets the most votes, state officials say the seat would not be considered vacant until Dec. 6, when the Legislature reconvenes and Brown’s speakership is expected to come up for a vote. Gov. Deukmejian could then call for a new Assembly election to be held early next year. If Davis or a write-in candidate wins in November, no special election will be necessary.

Others who have expressed interest in a special election are Tabor and Inglewood Mayor Edward Vincent. Also mentioned as possible candidates have been Los Angeles Councilman Robert Farrell and Inglewood school board member Lois Hill-Hale.

Tabor said Wednesday that he would decide by the end of the week whether to attempt a write-in campaign, the deadline for which is Oct. 25.

Vincent, an accomplished fund-raiser who has previously expressed interest in running for state office, said this week that a write-in candidacy would be an insult to the elder Tucker.

The 2-term mayor of Inglewood said it was too early to say whether he will run in a special election. But when asked about Brown’s announced support of the younger Tucker, Vincent said: “I don’t think anyone has the authority to just hand someone a seat.”

Farrell said it would be premature to discuss a special election before Tucker’s funeral Saturday.

Hill-Hale could not be reached for comment.

Davis said he would consider running in a special election if he makes a respectable showing in November but does not win.