California Gubernatorial and Senate Candidates Adjust Stance on Prop 187 Amid Slipping Momentum

Strategic Insights -

As ballot initiative Prop 187, aimed at denying education and health benefits to illegal immigrants, faces potential obstacles, candidates in the state's high-stakes gubernatorial and Senate races are reevaluating their stance on the issue. Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein has announced her opposition to the measure, while her Republican opponent, Representative Michael Huffington, initially supported it but now appears to be scaling back the emphasis on the issue. Meanwhile, Governor Pete Wilson has introduced new television advertisements for Prop 187, but they take a softer tone.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, has publicly opposed Prop 187, citing potential electoral costs in a tight Senate race.
  • Representative Michael Huffington, a Republican, initially supported Prop 187 but now plans to reduce the emphasis on the issue in his campaign.
  • Governor Pete Wilson has introduced new Prop 187 advertisements with a softer tone, shifting from a hardline stance to a more nuanced approach.
  • Polls suggest that Prop 187's momentum may be slowing, with some indicating a decrease of up to 25 points in support.
  • National figures, including President Clinton and Jack Kemp, have publicly opposed Prop 187, introducing additional challenges for its passage.
  • The campaign of State Treasurer Kathleen Brown, the Democratic opponent of Governor Wilson, has welcomed the voices of disapproval, but Brown herself has not emphasized Prop 187 in her campaigns.
  • Prop 187's opponents argue that cutting off aid to undocumented aliens is the wrong approach, instead advocating for stepped-up border patrols and enforcement of existing immigration laws.

Statistics:

  • Representative Michael Huffington has spent over $15 million on advertisements attacking Senator Feinstein, a record for a Congressional campaign.
  • Polls indicate that Prop 187's support has decreased by up to 25 points in recent weeks.
  • President Clinton and Jack Kemp publicly opposed Prop 187, joining other national figures who have expressed disapproval.
  • Taxpayers Against 187, the largest group opposing the initiative, has conducted polls showing the pro-187 forces ahead by fewer than five percentage points.

Sources:

  • New York Times, 1994 (no specific date)