Two Democratic members of Congress publicly urged Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday to join the race to replace Gov. Gray Davis, ending what had been a united effort by Democratic elected officials to stand with the governor in the recall election.
The statements came from U.S. Reps. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) and Cal Dooley (D-Hanford).
Both said that, although they oppose the recall, Democrats need someone to vote for in case Davis loses.
On the Republican side of the campaign, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan continued trying to build a campaign team. Sources familiar with Riordan's thinking said he had largely decided to run.
"Dick is running," said one Riordan confidant. "They are trying to assemble a team and think about who would work best with Dick."
The confidant said he expected Noelia Rodriguez, one of Riordan's top aides when he was mayor, to run the campaign, even though her experience with campaigns is limited.
"I don't care how many experts you have around Dick Riordan," the confidant added.
"It won't work unless you make the man comfortable."
Rodriguez is said to be extremely loyal to Riordan, who has counted on her advice on several occasions since she went to Washington, where she serves as press secretary for First Lady Laura Bush.
Rodriguez's role in advising Riordan would appear to contradict an effort by White House officials to maintain distance from the recall. There were indications Tuesday that White House officials were concerned about that.
Rodriguez "was told, 'Don't get us drawn into this; we are trying to stay out of this,' " said a Republican familiar with White House thinking.
The Republican added that Rodriguez's involvement in Riordan's nascent campaign did not reflect White House policy and that the Bush administration remains determined to stay out of the recall maneuvering.
"She has a long-standing relationship" with Riordan, the senior Republican said.
As the field continued to take shape, another Republican hopeful, Bill Simon Jr., who defeated Riordan in the Republican primary last year and then lost to Davis, took out his papers to file for the Oct. 7 recall ballot.
"It's an important day, and it's an important step on the road to candidacy," Simon said.
"Clearly Californians are missing leadership, and clearly they want new leadership."
