In the Running for California Governor

Kevin Richter

Age: 29

Party: Republican

Occupation: Information technology manager

Residence: Manteca

Family: Married, two children

Education: B.S. in material engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 1997.

Career highlights: Now in information technology group staffing organization; began whowantstobeagovernor.com Web site in July.

Quote: “My primary experience is 29 years of breathing. I’m also known for my frugality. Let’s send the janitorial staff home early and have the legislators who can’t pass the budget clean up after themselves. Just use some common sense.”

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David Ronald Sams

Age: 45

Party: Republican

Occupation: Television producer, director and writer

Residence: Thousand Oaks

Family: Married, two children

Education: Attended Ohio University 1976-77.

Career highlights: Former vice president of global marketing and creative affairs for King World syndication company, involved in launching “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Wheel of Fortune” on television; in 1987 started David Sams Industries, which produces network TV programs and commercials; winner of nine Emmy Awards.

Quote: “We have to address our borders. I’m sick and tired of paying for people who come across the border. If we find someone here who doesn’t belong, we should send them back to where they came from.”

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Billy Ray Smith

Age: 55

Party: Democrat

Occupation: San Francisco police officer

Residence: San Francisco

Family: Married, four children

Education: High school graduate.

Career highlights: Served in Vietnam with U.S. Navy, 1968-70; police officer for 24 years; community activist and volunteer for S.F. Striders youth program.

Quote: “California is our home, and the head of the household should be able to bring the family together and work out problems. I can do that.”

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Patricia G. Tilley

Age: 59

Party: Nonpartisan

Occupation: Criminal defense attorney

Residence: Sacramento

Family: Single, two children

Education: B.S. in nursing, University of Connecticut, 1966; M.A. in nursing, UCLA, 1969; J.D., University of San Diego, 1978.

Career highlights: Has taught nursing at universities in California, Nevada and Washington, D.C.; began law career in 1980 as a deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County; criminal defense attorney since 1991.

Quote: “I’m concerned that, with all the celebrities, the issues will really be lost. I’m interested in affordable health care, jobs for those who need work, a decent working wage for those who do work, a clean environment for our future generations. I’m pro-choice and I’m interested in gay rights.”

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Van Vo

Age: 53

Party: Republican

Occupation: Publisher and radio talk show host and producer

Residence: Garden Grove

Family: Divorced, two children

Education: Attended Purdue University in Indiana.

Career highlights: Publishes a Vietnamese-language monthly and the Viet Weekly News; since 1991 has produced and hosted a Vietnamese-language daily radio talk show on KXMX-AM (1190).

Quote: “I am on the radio to serve the Vietnamese community and to try to find freedom for the people in Vietnam. Also ... this country opened its arms to Vietnamese refugees. I think it’s about time I do something to repay what America has been doing for our people.”