Brown is state's new top cop
By Steve Geissinger and Josh Richman, MEDIANEWS SACRAMENTO BUREAU
Article Last Updated:11/08/2006 12:21:21 AM PST
SACRAMENTO -- Democrat Jerry Brown defeated Republican Chuck Poochigian Tuesday for attorney general, despite the GOP's shredding of Brown's record as former governor, Oakland mayor and longtime, all-around political player.
With more than 65 percent of precincts reporting statewide, the nationally known Brown was ahead of the former Fresno state Senator by 55.4 percent to 39.3 percent.
Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr. -- former secretary of state, presidential candidate, state party chairman and radio commentator -- bolstered his reputation as California's most enduring political enigma.
His victory put him into the office his father, former Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, used as a springboard to the governor's office about a half-century ago.
It also injected an unpredictable, colorful personality into an open office in the capital, working with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. But Brown appears inclined to cooperate with the GOP governor.
"I can't imagine not having a friendly relationship with the governor," Brown said in a telephone interview, amid the din of an Oakland victory party. "The attorney general doesn't usually fight with the governor. I look at the job as above politics and partisanship."
As for the negative campaign, Brown said he "expected attacks" but in the end "Californians liked what I had to say because I'm more in step with them (than Poochigian)."
Poochigian was not immediately available for comment.
Analysts said the race
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generated some of the best political theater in the run-up to the election. Brown, a liberal, and Poochigian, a conservative, criticized each other as too extreme for moderate, Democrat-leaning California. Many agreed.
"The candidates were about as far apart (ideologically) as you can get," said Tim Hodson of the Center for California Studies in Sacramento.
Poochigian attacked Brown for not supporting the death penalty -- Brown vowed to uphold California law. In turn, Brown attacked Poochigian over abortion rights -- and Poochigian vowed to follow the law.
Poochigian slammed Brown's failure to slow the murder rate in Oakland, criticized Brown's handling of sex-harassment allegations against a former aid, and legally challenged Brown's credentials for holding the job of California's top cop.
Brown raised the most money, with the candidates together spending about $10 million in the lopsided race.
The attorney general runs the Justice Department, which conducts investigations and represents Californians in civil and criminal court proceedings. He also legally counsels state agencies, runs consumer protection programs, and enforces environmental safeguards.
Oakland Tribune for the complete story
