Posted on 10/30/2002 7:41:24 AM PST by gubamyster
Most still support the governor, but not as enthusiastically as they did in 1998, poll shows.
By Matea Gold, Times Staff Writer
California's Latino voters, who energetically supported Gray Davis' candidacy in 1998, still favor the Democratic governor but are decidedly less enthusiastic about him this year, according to interviews with voters and experts on Latino politics.
At this point in the 1998 governor's race, 72% of Latino voters said they were backing Davis. He ultimately won 71% of the Latino vote, according to Los Angeles Times exit polls of voters. According to a Times poll published Tuesday, however, Davis is currently supported by 57% of likely Latino voters.
Analysts said that dismay over Davis' veto of a bill that would have allowed some illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses, apathy toward both major gubernatorial candidates and an absence of competitive legislative races have contributed to a sense of ambivalence about this year's election.
"I think Latinos are affected by the same malaise that is affecting voter participation as a whole," said Antonio Gonzalez, president of the William C. Velasquez Institute, a Los Angeles-based research group that studies Latino political trends. "A big majority are still going with Davis and the Democrats, but they're not enthusiastic because the perception is that the gains made over the last four years were really like pulling teeth with the administration."
Linda De Los Reyes, a student and mother of four in Sacramento, said she has many friends who are contemplating a vote for Green Party candidate Peter Camejo because of their frustration with Davis.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
California Power Crisis animations featuring Governor Gray Davis
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