For State Controller: Davis

In the race for state controller, incumbent Democrat Gray Davis is under challenge from Republican newcomer Matthew Fong.

The big difference between the two candidates who want to be California’s chief fiscal officer is experience. Davis is better qualified to serve as watchdog over the state’s $55.7-billion annual budget. We endorse Davis for this important post.

During his four-year term, Davis has shown some creativity in fiscal matters, a doggedness in the job and a streak of independence. Davis, 47, is a 16-year veteran of state government. Prior to his election as controller, he served as chief of staff to Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. and later as a two-term assemblyman. As controller, he serves on 52 boards and commissions, including the State Lands Commission and Franchise Tax Board.

He helped establish the 37,500-acre Dye Creek Wildlife Reserve in Northern California through an innovative debt-for-nature swap. He has aggressively pursued the state’s suit against the federal government to recover California’s share of millions of dollars in royalties from Kern County’s Elk Hills Naval Petroleum Reserve.

And in an act that raised a lot of eyebrows, Davis released millions of dollars to California schools in August against Gov. George Deukmejian’s attempt to impound the money because of a political spat with state Supt. of Public Instruction Bill Honig.

Fong’s bid for controller is his first statewide and public office race.

The 36-year-old Los Angeles attorney specializes in Pacific Rim trade and business. He once served as campaign manager for his Democrat mother, Secretary of State March Fong Eu.

Two years ago, Fong switched parties. He has challenged Davis’ squeaky-clean and straight-arrow image by questioning the incumbent’s judgment on accepting certain political contributions and using state personnel and equipment for political purposes in 1986. (Davis reimbursed the state $28,000.)

These are valid political points--fair questions to raise in the heat of a political campaign. But Fong offers insufficient alternatives to the policies and programs of Davis.