Riordan Edges Closer to Gubernatorial Bid

Moving one step closer to running for governor, Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan has filed papers in Sacramento to begin soliciting funds for a possible 2002 gubernatorial bid.

Riordan is expected to make a decision by October on whether to formally declare his candidacy. For now, the two-term mayor said he is exploring the possibility of seeking the GOP nomination.

“California is in great need of strong leadership, something that the current governor has been unable to provide,” Riordan said in a statement. “I want to take time to talk with the people of California about the issues, their hopes for their families and their future before I decide how to best serve the state.”

In the coming weeks, Riordan plans to visit San Diego, Sacramento, the Central Valley and the Inland Empire to meet with Republican leaders and volunteers--a trip that the former mayor says will allow him to “get the pulse of the state.”

“He is traveling the state at the moment, asking people for donations along the way,” said David Gould, Riordan’s campaign treasurer.

Gould, who filed the papers in Sacramento on Riordan’s behalf, said that if the former mayor decides not to enter the race, he can either give the money he raises to charities or political organizations, or return it to donors.

If Riordan runs, he will probably face California Secretary of State Bill Jones and philanthropist Bill Simon, son of the former U.S. treasury secretary, in the March GOP primary. Whoever wins the primary is expected to take on Gov. Gray Davis in the November general election.

As part of his statewide exploratory tour, Riordan met with reporters in the Silicon Valley on Wednesday after a series of meetings with various leaders and supporters.

“I certainly would not be even thinking of running unless I thought I could do a very great leadership job for our state,” Riordan said.

Riordan recently visited with White House political strategist Karl Rove and a few California Republican members of Congress during a trip to Washington.

After that trip, Riordan said the White House political team had not only urged him to run, but also offered to help him raise money for a campaign that could cost $50 million or more.