cannabisnews.com: Quiet Struggles for Momentum





Quiet Struggles for Momentum
Posted by FoM on November 02, 1999 at 22:04:24 PT
By Ben White, Special to The Washington Post
Source: Washington Post
Voters went to the polls across the nation yesterday to elect governors in Mississippi and Kentucky and mayors in a handful of big cities, and to decide ballot questions on such issues as medical marijuana, abortion rights and term limits.
In a mostly placid off-year election dwarfed by the fast-moving 2000 presidential race, party officials on both sides said yesterday that they expected few strong trends to emerge. But some political momentum was at stake. Republicans hoped to hold their ground in Mississippi, while picking up the mayor's office in Philadelphia for the first time in 52 years and cementing their claim to Virginia by taking over the state's General Assembly.Democrats, meanwhile, sought to break through in Mississippi, hold on in Philadelphia and pick up GOP-controlled mayor's offices in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio.The most closely watched race took place in Mississippi, where Lt. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) and former congressman Mike Parker (R) were locked in a tight contest to succeed Republican Gov. Kirk Fordice, who by law could not seek a third term.A win for Musgrove would continue a resurgence in the South for Democrats, who picked up governor's mansions in South Carolina and Alabama last year. Parker was attempting to solidify Republican control in Mississippi, where the party broke through in 1991 after more than a century of Democratic dominance. The Mississippi race featured two conservative candidates vying to succeed a governor embarrassed in recent months by revelations of an extramarital affair.The contest in Kentucky was far quieter. Gov. Paul Patton (D) was declared the winner by the Associated Press with 7 percent of precincts reporting. Patton became the first Kentucky governor since 1800 to win back-to-back terms, defeating Republican Peppy Martin and Reform Party-endorsed candidate Gatewood Galbraith.In Philadelphia, voters were poised to elect a Republican mayor for the first time in a half-century, as businessman Sam Katz held a narrow lead in late polls over former City Council president John F. Street, the Democratic nominee.A win for Katz would provide an emotional boost for Republicans, who hold their national nominating convention in the city next year. Republicans also said yesterday that a Katz victory would be a blow to outgoing Mayor Edward Rendell (D), who was recently named chairman of the Democratic National Committee.In San Francisco, flamboyant Mayor Willie Brown faced a tough reelection battle in a crowded field of four and the possibility of being forced into a runoff.Democrats believed they had a shot at taking control in Indianapolis, where developer Bart Peterson (D) battled Secretary of State Sue Anne Gilroy (R) to succeed outgoing mayor Stephen Goldsmith (R). Peterson would be the first Democratic mayor of the city in more than 30 years. Gilroy hoped to become the city's first female mayor.Voters in Columbus appeared likely to elect the first African American mayor in the city's history. City Council President Michael Coleman (D) led in late polling.Several state legislatures also were at stake yesterday, and Republicans hoped to take over in the Virginia General Assembly, needing a net gain of just one seat in the House of Delegates.Democrats looked to narrow the GOP advantage in the New Jersey state house and hoped to take over in Washington state, where a special election win would swing the house in their favor. Democrats already control the state senate and the governor's office.Maine voters weighed in on several ballot questions, with the most attention paid to a measure outlawing a late-term abortion procedure called "partial-birth" abortion by its opponents. Maine ballots also contained a measure to allow medicinal marijuana. San Franciscans voted on an ATM fee ban. By Ben WhiteSpecial to The Washington PostWednesday, November 3, 1999; Page A11 © Copyright 1999 The Washington Post CompanyRelated Article:Maine Approves Use of Medical Marijuana - 11/02/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3530.shtml
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