Cruz Bustamante
Party: Democrat
Age: 53
Residence: Elk Grove
Occupation: Lieutenant governor
Background: Lieutenant governor, 1999-present: state Assembly, 1994-98; field director for Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan, 1988-93; field director for U.S. Rep. Richard Lehman, 1983-88; Fresno Employment and Training Commission, 1977-83. Graduate, Fresno City College; attended Fresno State University.
SACRAMENTO — For the first time, prominent consumer advocate Harvey Rosenfield is backing a Republican in the race for state insurance commissioner — a move that may change the odds in the race.
Rosenfield, the author of 1988's landmark Proposition 103 auto insurance initiative, has always been considered a Democratic ally. But the party's candidate in the Nov. 7 election is Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, whom Rosenfield has criticized for trying to water down Proposition 103 while in the state Assembly.
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Rosenfield, head of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, has offered to appear on Poizner's television spots. Poizner, who is planning to spend $11 million on TV ads, said he was considering the offer.
The unexpected endorsement "should be very persuasive to a large number of undecided voters," Republican strategist Joe Rodota said.