CA: The race for controller: Styles clash in key battle

Sacramento Bee ^ | October 6, 2006 | Clea Benson

[calcowgirl]

Both men running for state controller in the November election have years of government experience -- one as an outspoken legislator and the other primarily in lower-profile roles.

Republican Tony Strickland, of Moorpark, made his mark during three terms as a conservative member of the Assembly. No stranger to confrontation and controversy, he once filed a lawsuit against then-Gov. Gray Davis to get him to reveal the terms of state energy contracts.

Meanwhile, Democrat John Chiang, of Torrance, has served two terms as an elected member of the state Board of Equalization.

Before that, he accumulated experience in the trenches of government as a tax-law specialist for the Internal Revenue Service, a lawyer in the controller's office under Davis, and an aide to numerous Democratic politicians such as Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Mel Levine.

Both men are seeking a low-profile statewide office that carries a lot of power.

The controller, whose main job is distributing state funds, is the only independently elected official who can audit state operations. The controller also serves as a member of various state boards and commissions and makes $140,000 a year for a four-year term.

The outcome of the race could have an impact on state tax policy because the controller is a voting member of the Board of Equalization, the body that hears tax appeals.

The winner of the controller's race likely will determine whether the majority on the five-member board is Democratic or Republican.

The current board has three Democrats and two Republicans, including incumbent Democratic Controller Steve Westly.

The most recent public poll on the race, a Los Angeles Times survey released last week, showed Chiang with a slight lead that was within the margin of error. Among likely voters, Chiang had 36 percent support to 30 percent for Strickland.

[calcowgirl]

L.A. Times Poll:

Q10. If the general election for controller were being held today and the candidates were 
Tony Strickland, the Republican, and John Chiang , the Democrat, 
for whom would you vote: Strickland, or Chiang, or would you vote for someone else?
(INCLUDES LEANERS)

                  |  LV  |  DEM   IND   REP  | LIB    MOD    CON  |   MEN    WOM
Chiang            |  36  |   63    33     6  |  67     41      9  |    34     38
Strickland        |  30  |    5    20    64  |   7     17     58  |    34     26
Someone else      |   3  |    4     2     1  |   3      5      1  |     2      4
Don’t know        |  31  |   28    45    29  |  23     37     32  |    30     32

http://www.latimes.com/media/acrobat/2006-09/25655150.pdf 

[R.W.Ratikal]

Know why political campaigns are getting so ruthless and dirty? Money man, money. The key to great wealth in the U.S. today is to win public office.

[calcowgirl]

The key to great wealth in the U.S. today is to win public office.

Ain't that the truth!