Californians Will Have 51 Presidential Candidates to Choose from in February 2008 Primary--As It Stands Now

More than double the number in 2004

By Frank D. Russo

On Friday, Secretary of State Debra Bowen released the list she is required to compile of “generally recognized” candidates that she intends to place on the February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election ballot in California barring requests to be removed, additional candidates she can add, or that California voters can place there by petition.

The last presidential primary, in March 2004, had 20 candidates on the “generally recognized” candidate list. This year, with an earlier California Presidential Primary and no presidential incumbent running, the candidate list has 51 names

Once placed on this list, Bowen cannot remove any names unless a candidate asks to be removed by filing an affidavit with the Secretary of State’s office. But she can place additional candidate names on the list until November 29, when the final list of presidential candidates is officially certified.

There is a movement to place Al Gore on the Democratic ballot by a petition being circulated by California Draft Gore. To do so, a minimum of 500 signatures of registered Democrats must be obtained in each of the state's 53 congressional districts. Gore could then have his name be removed by filing an affidavit.

The major party candidates selected are those who are generally recognized throughout the state and country as actively seeking their party’s nomination. That determination is based on a number of factors, including whether a candidate:

• Participates in candidate debates;
• Actively campaigns in California;
• Appears in public opinion polls; and/or
• Qualifies for federal campaign matching funds.

Additionally, Secretary Bowen asked each of the six California political parties to submit a list of candidates whom they recognize as seeking their party’s nomination.

The complete listing of the generally recognized candidates and their contact information is available on the net and will updated regularly as new information becomes available.

If you are interested in contacting the campaigns of those running for President or viewing their websites, this is not a bad place to look for any of the 8 Democratic names, 11 Republicans, 4 American Independent Party, 7 Greens, 12 Libertarians, or 9 Peace and Freedom Party candidates listed.

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