Elections 2002

A federal judge Thursday acquitted a former Republican Party official accused of taking part in a plot to jam state Democratic Party phone lines on election day 2002. James Tobin, the former regional chairman of President Bush's reelection campaign, was convicted in federal court in 2005 of helping to arrange more than 800 hang-up calls that jammed get-out-the-vote phone lines set up by the state Democratic Party and the Manchester firefighters' union for about an hour. Republican John E.

A former Republican National Committee official was sentenced Wednesday to 10 months in prison for his role in the jamming of New Hampshire Democrats' telephones on election day 2002. James Tobin, the third person sent to prison in the case, was found guilty in December of harassment by telephone. Prosecutors had sought a two-year sentence.

Gov. Gray Davis and rivals seeking to oust him spent at least $130 million on the 2002 governor's race, and potential contenders already have raised more than $20 million for 2006, according to reports released Friday. The final tally for 2002 shows that Davis spent nearly $78 million on his campaign for reelection, more than double the $36 million spent by Republican rival Bill Simon Jr., the reports show. The Democratic governor defeated Simon, 47% to 42%, in the Nov. 5 election.

A commission examining the campaign tactics of opponents of Santa Monica's so-called living wage measure will ask county prosecutors and state elections officials today to investigate possible violations. The Santa Monica Living Wage Commission of Inquiry -- a panel of lawyers, clergy and others assembled by supporters of the living wage measure -- will also release a report contending that opponents misled voters and calling for reforms.