CONDIT'S HAT IN RING AT LAST MINUTE

By VINCENT MORRIS

December 8, 2001 -- WASHINGTON - Scandal-scarred California Congressman Gary Condit, who made headlines for carrying on a racy affair with young intern Chandra Levy before she went missing, wants to keep his job.

"I'm running," Condit told a crowd standing outside the Stanislaus County Courthouse, as he rushed in to file papers seeking re-election to an eighth term in the House. "I have a great record in Congress."

Condit, 53, waited until just 45 minutes before yesterday's 5 p.m. deadline before signing paperwork to make himself a candidate in the Democratic primary.

He'd kept so quiet about his intentions that even his lawyers weren't sure of Condit's plans until yesterday.

A conservative Democrat and preacher's son, Condit faces anger and disappointment from a range of people upset over his affair and his repeated attempts to lie about it.

He could also face unanswered questions about Levy's fate. She's never been found, and police assume she's dead.

Levy, 24, from Modesto, Calif., was last seen April 30, when she canceled her gym membership.

Police say Condit isn't a suspect - but his condo was searched for clues in the middle of the night, and he was interviewed four times by detectives. He denies knowing about her disappearance.

Condit faces several opponents in a primary next March, including state Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza, a former Condit aide who already enjoys the backing of California's Democratic hierarchy.

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001

Answers

Darn, I thought you meant running from the authorities :)

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

I was hoping it was something like that, too. Maybe running out of the country. He could probably find a job over in Afghanistan, don't you think?

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001