Davis Declines to Endorse Condit’s Reelection Bid

Gov. Gray Davis indicated Friday that he would stay neutral in the race for Gary Condit’s congressional seat, effectively walking away from his longtime political ally.

Earlier this week, Condit seemed hopeful that Davis would back his uphill reelection bid, despite the governor’s criticism of his role in the Chandra Levy mystery.

“I haven’t heard the . . . governor say he would not support me,” Condit said in an interview.

But Davis indicated Friday that he would keep out of the Democratic primary, which pits Condit against his former political protege, state Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza of Merced.

“I have two good friends in that race, both of whom were very helpful to me” in his 1998 run for governor, Davis told reporters at a luncheon appearance in Washington. Asked if he would support one or the other in the primary, Davis replied: “Probably not.”

The Condit camp shrugged off the governor’s statement.

“Our focus will be the voters of the 18th [Congressional District],” said Chad Condit, the lawmaker’s son and the director of his reelection effort. “That’s always been Gary’s focus, and it will continue to be.”

Davis was in Washington to discuss security issues with the Bush administration and to raise money for the governor’s reelection effort.

His comments were a further setback for Condit, who has seen much of his support from Democrats melt away because of questions about his candor regarding his relationship with the missing Levy. The former federal intern and USC graduate student was last seen in the spring.

Earlier this week, Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Alamo) became the first Democratic member of California’s House delegation to endorse Cardoza, who also has the support of state party Chairman Art Torres and numerous lawmakers in Sacramento.

Davis’ refusal to back Condit was a more personal blow. The two men have been close since they served together as Assembly freshmen nearly 20 years ago. Condit was one of the first to endorse Davis’ underdog gubernatorial candidacy, and the congressman played a key role in cultivating support--and contributions--in the Central Valley.

Davis remained largely silent about the Levy matter for months, even after other Democrats spoke out. He finally accused Condit of a lack of candor, days after the congressman’s poorly received August interview with ABC’s Connie Chung.

Condit’s two adult children reacted angrily, quitting their jobs in the Davis administration and accusing him of disloyalty to their father. Condit, however, said this week that he still considered the governor a friend, though he took issue with Davis’ criticism.

“I’ve seen him do bad interviews and kept my mouth shut,” Condit said. “To make the statement [that] we haven’t been forthcoming is incorrect.”

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Barabak reported from Los Angeles and Jackson from Washington.