Feinstein rules out run for California governor

LOS ANGELES -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Wednesday ruled out running for governor in the Oct. 7 recall election, giving a boost to Gov. Gray Davis but complicating plans of some California Democrats who wanted a replacement candidate on the ballot.

"After thinking a great deal about this recall, its implications for the future, and its misguided nature, I have decided that I will not place my name on the ballot," Feinstein said in a statement.

Feinstein said the governor should be given the chance to finish his second term, which he won last November.

She had earlier indicated she did not intend to run, but some in the Democratic Party had urged her to, saying the party needed a fallback candidate in case Davis lost his job.

Feinstein tops opinion polls as the state's most popular politician, and many analysts believed that if she ran, Davis' chances of survival would decrease.

On the Republican side, Arnold Schwarzenegger promised to reveal his intentions to Jay Leno during a Wednesday taping of "The Tonight Show." State Sen. Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks filed his candidacy papers Tuesday. Rep. Darrell Issa, who bankrolled the recall drive, has said he will be a candidate.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan has said he will consider running if Schwarzenegger doesn't.

Former GOP congressman and Senate candidate Michael Huffington was considering a run, and Huffington's ex-wife, columnist Arianna Huffington, announced her candidacy on Wednesday's "Today" show. She said she would run as an independent.

State Democratic leaders had urged potential party candidates to stay out of the race in the hopes of boosting Davis' chances. Voters will be asked Oct. 7 whether they want Davis recalled and, in a second question, who should replace him if a majority backs the recall.

But some Democrats disagree with the party strategy. On Monday, Rep. Loretta Sanchez said she believed the Democrats would field an alternate to Davis even if Feinstein decided not to run. And Sen. Barbara Boxer said Democrats should field another candidate if polls show Davis will lose his job.

Feinstein's popularity, her desire for the state's top job -- and a frosty relationship with Davis -- were the main reasons several Democrats had publicly urged her to run.

She said she was flattered by those who had urged her to put her name on the ballot.

"After thinking a great deal about this recall, its implications for the future, and its misguided nature, I have decided that I will not place my name on the ballot."

Feinstein has served in the Senate since 1992, two years after narrowly losing the gubernatorial election to Republican Pete Wilson. She defeated a recall attempt when she was mayor of San Francisco in 1983.

On Tuesday, the AFL-CIO backed Davis, calling on Californians to oppose the recall and urging Davis' fellow Democrats to keep their names off the ballot.

"We call on all state leaders in the Democratic Party to stand united with the governor," according to a resolution adopted by the labor group's Executive Council.

The deadline for candidates to file to run is Saturday.

Feinstein's decision, coupled with the support from labor, are key victories for Davis, whose support from fellow party members had been crumbling.

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