Quote: "It doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or Republican, if you're young or old, what the racial thing is, nothing matters to me. To me what matters is that I want to represent everyone in California. That is the important thing."
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Ralph S. Sherwood
Age: 55
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday August 13, 2003 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 37 words Type of Material: Correction
Gubernatorial candidate -- A biography in Sunday's Section A for gubernatorial candidate D. Logan Darrow Clements listed the incorrect year he received his bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester. He earned it in 1991, not 1981.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday September 10, 2003 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 59 words Type of Material: Correction
Recall candidate -- A biography Aug. 10 in Section A of gubernatorial candidate Frank A. Macaluso Jr. did not fully describe his career history. After completing a one-year medical internship at the Veterans Hospital in Fresno, Macaluso went on to complete a four-year residency in Denver. He heads the department of radiology at the Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia.
Party: Republican
Occupation: Former plumber, disabled
Residence: Moorpark
Family: Married, one child
Education: High school graduate
Career Highlights: Plumber until 1987, when he became disabled after injuring his back.
Quote: "It's the first time in the history of California that a small man can make his voice heard. Maybe the little guy will get a shot this time. I'm someone who isn't part of the political system and can do much better than those who are."
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Richard Simmons
Age: 51
Party: Nonpartisan
Occupation: Attorney, author
Residence: Los Angeles
Family: Divorced, one child
Education: B.A. in pre-law and business, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 1973; J.D., UC Berkeley, 1976.
Career Highlights: Has written books on business and employment law, including "California Anti-Business Employment Law: A Monument to Inefficiency."
Quote: "This is a terrific opportunity for Californians to change direction from an administration that has failed the people, created a staggering budget deficit and sold out to special interests. Jobs don't create themselves; businesses need to create them."
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Bill Simon Jr.
Age: 52
Party: Republican
Occupation: Businessman
Residence: Pacific Palisades
Family: Married, four children
Education: B.A. in history, Williams College, 1973; J.D., Boston College, 1982.
Career Highlights: Assistant U.S. attorney for Southern District of New York, 1983-88; partner in William E. Simon & Sons investment firm, 1988-present.
Quote: "This campaign will be a battle for the heart, the soul and the future of California. When the dust settles, voters are only going to ask one question: Who has the courage to solve the financial crisis?"
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B.E. Smith
Age: 56
Party: Nonpartisan
Occupation: Disabled veteran
Residence: Denny
Family: Married, four children
Education: High school graduate.
Career highlights: Army, 4th Infantry Division, 1967-68, Vietnam; went to prison under the medical marijuana Compassionate Use Act, 1996.
Quote: "I would like to stop the war on drugs. If I get elected I will pardon all people convicted in California under drug laws so they can get their rights back, and then take money saved from prisons and put it toward education."
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Mathilda Karel Spak
Age: 100
Party: Nonpartisan
Occupation: Hospital and senior center volunteer. Limited herself to four days a week after turning 100.
Residence: Long Beach
Family: Widowed, no children
Education: Bachelor's degree in business, Northwestern University, 1920s.
Career Highlights: Worked in real estate and insurance in Chicago; retired 1960. Named "ambassador" of 99 Cents Only Stores when she was 99.
Quote: "They're some very important and wealthy people. But I'll fight it out. With my experience at [nearly] 101 years old, I can outlive all of them."
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Christopher Sproul
Age: 44
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Environmental attorney
Residence: San Francisco
Family: Married, one child
Education: B.A. in political science, UC Santa Barbara, 1980. M.A. in political science, UC Santa Barbara, 1982. J.D., UC Berkeley School of Law, 1986.
Career Highlights: Intern for Rep. Mark Hannaford (D-Long Beach), 1977; law clerk to federal Judge William Rey in Los Angeles, 1986-87; attorney with Environmental Protection Agency's San Francisco office, 1987-2002; attorney with Environmental Advocates, a public-interest environmental law firm, since 2002.
Quote: "The recall is a charade. I figured the more people on the ballot, the more ridiculous this whole thing will look. None of the candidates in the recall deserve to replace Gov. Davis, who rightly won the last general election."
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Lawrence Steven Strauss
Age: 37
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Business, real estate and personal injury lawyer at own Studio City firm.
Residence: Sherman Oaks
Family: Married, two children
Education: B.S. in finance and real estate, USC, 1988; law degree, 1991, Loyola Law School; studying aviation at Glendale Community College.
Career highlights: Two-year member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn.; has volunteered at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Van Nuys.
Quote: "I have to manage my own business and manage my own funds. I know how to budget, and I don't spend when I don't have the money."
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Tim Sylvester
Age: 39
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Residence: Santa Cruz
Family: Married, no children
Education: B.S. in computer engineering, Iowa State University, 1987.
Career Highlights: Recently founded a computer networking equipment company. Product manager for Cisco Systems, 1996-2001.
Quote: "The recall is unfair. If it hadn't been for Darrell Issa and his money, it wouldn't have happened. I am absolutely not making a serious bid for governor. Just as Issa got out his checkbook to fund the recall, I got out mine to protest against it."
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A. Lavar Taylor
Age: 45
Party: Democrat
