ModBee.com

Condit edges toward running

November 27, 2001 Posted: 05:00:07 AM PST

By JIM MILLER BEE CAPITOL BUREAU

Rep. Gary Condit moved closer to seeking re-election Monday when his campaign turned in thousands of signatures to place his name on the March ballot.

Chad Condit, the congressman's son, said the campaign had collected an estimated 4,800 signatures over several weeks -- significantly more than the 3,000 valid signatures he needs to avoid a $1,451 candidate filing fee.

However, the Ceres Democrat has not decided whether he will seek a seventh two-year term, his son said.

"Gary and Carolyn are just thankful for the support and people signing the petition to get his name on the ballot," Chad Condit said outside the Stanislaus County Elections Office.

"(A decision on whether to run) is not for today," Condit said. "But we wanted to get the in-lieus (signatures) in. He's done (signature collection) every year for as long as I can remember.

"It's really a salute to the grass-roots support he's built over the last 20, 30 years."

Monday's filing is sure to fuel speculation that Condit intends to seek re-election. The congressman has a campaign office and a receptionist working there.

The congressman's political future has been up in the air since May, when he became embroiled in the case of a missing Modesto woman, 24-year-old Chandra Levy.

Condit, 53, has not denied reports that the two had an affair.

Meanwhile, former supporters have lined up against him.

Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, a longtime friend, announced last month that he was running. State Sen. Dick Monteith, R-Modesto, another onetime Condit ally, also seeks the seat.

Moreover, a large segment of the valley's Democratic establishment has criticized the congressman.

Signatures must be verified

Monday was the deadline for congressional candidates to turn in signatures to get on the March ballot without paying the filing fee.

Over the coming days, elections offices in five counties will verify that the signatures are those of people registered to vote. If some are found to be invalid, election law allows a candidate to collect additional signatures. Those are due Dec. 7.

The 18th Congressional District includes parts of Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin, Fresno and Madera counties.

Cadee Condit, the congressman's daughter, turned in 822 signatures at the Merced County Elections Office, officials reported.

In Stockton, a campaign aide turned in 31 signatures, San Joaquin County elections officials said.

Two people who signed in San Joaquin County said Monday they did not realize the petitions were part of an effort to put Condit on the March ballot.

Anne Michael, a recent University of the Pacific graduate who is registered to vote in Stockton, said she signed the petition earlier this month outside a north Stockton movie theater.

Michael said the people who asked her to sign the petition said that it called for waiving candidate filing fees to run for office.

"I had them explain it to me twice. They never said anything about Congressman Condit," Michael said. "If they did, I wouldn't have signed it."

Enrique Hernandez of Stockton said he thought the petition dealt with Democratic causes.

"I sign these things every once in a while as long as it's Democratic," he said. "This guy didn't say anything about Gary Condit. He was just talking about Democratic issues."

Even so, Hernandez said he might vote for Condit because he would like to see a future congressman do something for the homeless people sleeping under freeway overpasses in Stockton.

Chad Condit and his two sons came to the Stanislaus County Elections Office in Modesto at midafternoon. He turned in a stack of signatures reportedly numbering 3,800.

"I've walked a few precincts for the last three or four weeks, and there's still a lot of support for Gary. Certainly, what the media has done and created, it's hurt us politically," he said. "But we're just happy about the signatures and the support we've received. And just on behalf of my folks, thank you."

Chad Condit's political future also is uncertain.

He said in an interview last summer that he was disillusioned with politics. But earlier this month, the former adviser to Gov. Davis filed a statement of intent to run for the 12th Senate District.

Chad Condit has until Dec. 7 to file nomination papers for the Senate seat. He declined to comment Monday on his possible candidacy.

Bee staff writers Ken Carlson and Michael Mello contributed to this story.

Bee Capitol Bureau reporter Jim Miller can be reached at (916) 326-5544 or jmiller@modbee.com.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

Answers

my! my! MY! he has "big ones!!!!" and the thing is...he will probably be re elected!!!

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

The people there are probably curious enough to want to see who he does next. er, I mean what, of course.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

SAR, I don't think he will be. Due to redistricting, the district he would run in is quite different from his old district. The powers that be in the Democratic Party wanted to make it more difficult for him, should he decide to run again.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

What we need is a well-timed body. Assuming she is already dead, of course. And it better be found in the Potomac near the Arlington bridge, or Major Dames is toast.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

If I were her parents, I'd turn out at each and every one of his speaking political functions just to make him nervous. Words wouldn't have to be spoken, as us women know how to give that look.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

Ooooo, apoc, you're so right about That Look! My old Sooty used to have it in spades too!

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

Bandit does try (when I'm giving her the twice daily oral meds), but she can't pull it off, I just laugh!

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001