Rescue California

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Democrats study ways to contest recall vote
SAVING GOVERNOR'S JOB: ALLIES SEEK TO PUSH VOTE TO MARCH, WHEN DAVIS WILL GAIN ADVANTAGE

July 09, 2003

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in court, it could prompt a judge to delay the date. Some Davis allies are trying to push the recall vote until March, when Davis will have an advantage.

One Davis ally has already tried to challenge the recall by accusing its main financial backer -- Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista -- of breaking campaign-finance laws to bankroll the recall.

Complaint filed

Under new federal campaign-finance rules, lawmakers like Issa are barred from asking donors to give more than $5,000 to any state or federal race, or from directing corporate contributions to a campaign.

Davis appointee Raquelle De la Rocha filed a complaint with federal election officials, arguing that Issa broke rules by siphoning more than $1.5 million from a company he runs and soliciting large contributions from other donors.

Issa has denied breaking any rules, and the Federal Elections Commission has not even decided whether to review the allegations, so the complaint is unlikely to affect the recall.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact Dion Nissenbaum at dnissenbaum@mercurynews.com or (916) 441-4603.

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