Pete Wilson in Sacramento
It should be interesting having an election junkie like Pete Wilson in Sacramento for awhile.
A one-time advance man for Richard Nixon, Wilson served as an assemblyman before being elected mayor of San Diego in 1971. In his first eight years as mayor, he was a candidate for four other offices: In 1972, he ran for vice president; in 1974, he ran for lieutenant governor; in 1976, he ran for U.S. senator; in 1978, he ran for governor. In 1979, he ran for mayor again. Then in 1982, he ran for U.S. senator again and won.
When it comes to professional campaigning, Wilson takes the cake, or is it bunting? But how long does he intend to be governor? Only his “spin doctors” know for sure. Will Pete be able to resist the temptation to throw his campaign hat into the presidential ring in 1992? He does have this annoying habit of needing an election fix every two or three years.
Let’s just hope he gives half of the energy to governing California that he’s given to campaigning.
CORT CASADY
Los Angeles
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