AZTOY
August 7, 2003, 12:42 AM
Posted on Wed, Aug. 06, 2003
Diff'rent Strokes" actor may join race
By Lori Aratani
Mercury News
http://www.bayarea.com/images/bayarea/mercurynews/6471/41877981440.jpg
Fear not, you California voters seeking a celebrity fix come Oct. 7. Should the Terminator take a pass on the state's top job, there's still an opportunity to restore some Hollywood grandeur to the governor's mansion:
Gary Coleman.
While Californians await Arnold Schwarzenegger's announcement tonight of whether he's in or out, a coalition of Coleman supporters said they are filing papers this morning in Alameda County to make the diminutive star of the '80s sitcom ``Diff'rent Strokes''the first Hollywood personality on the Oct. 7 ballot.
And why not?
This is after all California, where Ronald Reagan was governor, Sonny Bono was a congressman and Clint Eastwood was a mayor. In these days of topsy-turvy Golden State politics -- 50 more people took out papers Tuesday and the number of potential candidates is fast approaching 400 -- what would a historic recall election be without some star power?
``We selected Gary because, well, everyone knows Gary,'' said Stephen Buel, editor of the East Bay Express, the Emeryville-based alternative weekly that is sponsoring Coleman's candidacy and paying his $3,500 filing fee. ``He's got a Clintonesque charisma. People light up when they hear Gary's name.''
But he's not the only star with an eye on Sacramento.
Comedian Leo Gallagher is a definite in -- if he can get eight more signatures before Saturday's filing deadline.
``I want to highlight issues and say things that I know the other folks who are invested in political parties won't say,'' said the 57-year-old entertainer, who goes by the name ``Gallagher'' and is perhaps best known for his sledgehammer-wielding, watermelon-smashing routines.
Also possibly in are Hustler publisher Larry Flynt, who said he wants to expand the number of slot machines in the state to solve the budget deficit, and Southern California billboard personality Angelyne, whose buxom image has entertained Los Angeles commuters for more than a decade.
According to the Los Angeles County registrar of voters, comedian D.L. Hughley has also taken out papers. In Orange County, Jack Grisham, lead singer for the punk band TSOL (True Sounds of Liberty), has, too.
``Your average people are just getting lost in the shuffle,'' said Grisham, who decided to run after a bad experience trying to get health insurance for a back injury. ``My main point is to say, `I hear you.' All people want is to know that someone cares about them. They want to know that they're heard. That's a big part of what our government is missing.''
While nearly 400 people have taken out papers to run, the field may be considerably narrowed by Saturday, when potential governors-to-be must submit a $3,500 filing fee and 65 signatures. In lieu of the fee, major-party candidates can submit 10,000 signatures.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/recall/6469151.htm
More on Gary Coleman on CCN (http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/08/06/candidate.coleman/)
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:uhoh::scrutiny:
Diff'rent Strokes" actor may join race
By Lori Aratani
Mercury News
http://www.bayarea.com/images/bayarea/mercurynews/6471/41877981440.jpg
Fear not, you California voters seeking a celebrity fix come Oct. 7. Should the Terminator take a pass on the state's top job, there's still an opportunity to restore some Hollywood grandeur to the governor's mansion:
Gary Coleman.
While Californians await Arnold Schwarzenegger's announcement tonight of whether he's in or out, a coalition of Coleman supporters said they are filing papers this morning in Alameda County to make the diminutive star of the '80s sitcom ``Diff'rent Strokes''the first Hollywood personality on the Oct. 7 ballot.
And why not?
This is after all California, where Ronald Reagan was governor, Sonny Bono was a congressman and Clint Eastwood was a mayor. In these days of topsy-turvy Golden State politics -- 50 more people took out papers Tuesday and the number of potential candidates is fast approaching 400 -- what would a historic recall election be without some star power?
``We selected Gary because, well, everyone knows Gary,'' said Stephen Buel, editor of the East Bay Express, the Emeryville-based alternative weekly that is sponsoring Coleman's candidacy and paying his $3,500 filing fee. ``He's got a Clintonesque charisma. People light up when they hear Gary's name.''
But he's not the only star with an eye on Sacramento.
Comedian Leo Gallagher is a definite in -- if he can get eight more signatures before Saturday's filing deadline.
``I want to highlight issues and say things that I know the other folks who are invested in political parties won't say,'' said the 57-year-old entertainer, who goes by the name ``Gallagher'' and is perhaps best known for his sledgehammer-wielding, watermelon-smashing routines.
Also possibly in are Hustler publisher Larry Flynt, who said he wants to expand the number of slot machines in the state to solve the budget deficit, and Southern California billboard personality Angelyne, whose buxom image has entertained Los Angeles commuters for more than a decade.
According to the Los Angeles County registrar of voters, comedian D.L. Hughley has also taken out papers. In Orange County, Jack Grisham, lead singer for the punk band TSOL (True Sounds of Liberty), has, too.
``Your average people are just getting lost in the shuffle,'' said Grisham, who decided to run after a bad experience trying to get health insurance for a back injury. ``My main point is to say, `I hear you.' All people want is to know that someone cares about them. They want to know that they're heard. That's a big part of what our government is missing.''
While nearly 400 people have taken out papers to run, the field may be considerably narrowed by Saturday, when potential governors-to-be must submit a $3,500 filing fee and 65 signatures. In lieu of the fee, major-party candidates can submit 10,000 signatures.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/recall/6469151.htm
More on Gary Coleman on CCN (http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/08/06/candidate.coleman/)
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:uhoh::scrutiny: