Cox Says No to Race for Feinstein’s Senate Seat

At this nascent stage of the 2000 political cycle, few would blame Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) for keeping his options open on a possible U.S. Senate run. But Cox shut the door Tuesday, declaring that he would not attempt to unseat the Democratic incumbent, Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Last fall, Cox had taken the first steps toward a Senate candidacy, putting close to $900,000 into a campaign fund. But now he has concluded that the time and money required to conduct a credible campaign would take away from his duties as the fifth-ranking House Republican.

“I decided it would be very important to do a good job with what I’ve got rather than to try to do a bad job at both simultaneously,” Cox said.

Asked whether he might change his mind and rekindle his interest in a Senate race, Cox said: “I’m not. I’ve foreclosed it.”

He also will be closing the Senate campaign account.

Cox’s decision marked the second time in less than three months that he has bowed out of a political contest. In November, he launched a short-lived candidacy to replace former Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) as speaker of the House. But he abandoned that race after Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La.) appeared to have the job sewn up. Livingston later announced that he would not accept the post after reports emerged of his adulterous affairs. Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) later got the job.

Cox, 46, continues to be head of the 32-member House Republican Policy Committee. He also leads a committee that has investigated technology transfers to China. That panel is expected to make public its report and recommendations by late March.

Cox’s departure leaves wide open the potential GOP field of contenders to oppose Feinstein, who will begin the race a strong favorite for reelection.

Republicans mentioned as possible Senate candidates include Reps. Tom Campbell (R-San Jose), who ran unsuccessfully in the 1992 GOP Senate primary, Rep. James E. Rogan (R-Glendale), who has won wide attention as a House prosecutor in President Clinton’s impeachment trial, and California Secretary of State Bill Jones.

Two other prominent Republican congressmen, David Dreier of San Dimas and Jerry Lewis of Redlands, are considered unlikely to leave their posts. Lewis holds a senior seat on the Appropriations Committee, and Dreier chairs the Rules Committee.