PROTECT DEMOCRACY

By Paul A. Mariano

Wealthy opportunists are attempting to steal the governor's mansion,buy an election and undermine our democratic principles.

People who vote against the recall are, in essence, voting to retain the duly elected governor. And yet, they are prevented on the second half of the ballot from expressing that choice. Under our outdated recall process, Gray Davis is prevented from running on the second half of the ballot. I am the only candidate who would name Gray Davis as Chief of Staff, in charge of the day-to-day governance of the state. I am the only candidate that would allow the continuation of the legitimately elected administration.

Far more than the governorship of California is at stake. At risk is the democratic principle of full and fair elections and the integrity of our electoral process. The only way to preserve these democratic values is to retain Gray Davis as the leader of California. The only way to ensure that is to vote against the recall and to vote for Paul Mariano on the second half of the ballot.