FS alumni see mixed local, state outcomes

By Travis Ball

& Brent VonCannon
The Collegian

Two Fresno State alumni making bids for political office saw mixed results to their campaign efforts.
State Senator Chuck Poochigian, who ran for the office of Attorney General against Oakland mayor Jerry Brown, seemed unlikely to achieve victory as Tuesday’s results came in.

With nearly 39 percent of state-wide precincts reporting, Brown led 53 percent to Poochigian’s 41 percent.

But if Poochigian was anxious about his chances of becoming the next Attorney General of California, he sure didn’t show it at a party thrown by his supporters Tuesday night at Pardini’s Café in Fresno.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” Poochigian said, never deviating from the wide smile and open demeanor that seems to comes to him naturally as he mingles with the crowds. “I think I’ll come a lot closer than just about anyone predicted.”

The two-term Republican senator is well aware of the uphill fight he’s faced the entire campaign against his better-known Democratic opponent.

One of Poochigian’s campaign slogans states, “Tough to spell. Tougher on crime.”

One thing that was not on Poochigian’s mind was national election news and the perhaps inevitable Democratic gains around the country. “I’m not paying attention to national news,” Poochigian said. “I only care about the attorney general’s office now.”

One Poochigian supporter at the ralley, Harry Sadoian, is the senator’s optometrist and has been a family friend of the Poochigians for many years, particularly through the close friendship between Poochigian’s mother-in-law and Sadoian’s wife. Sadoian said he thought the senator would be a good, honest attorney general but was also aware of political reality.

“It’s a tough race,” Sadoian said. “Poochigian will certainly carry the Central Valley area, but he’s not well known all over the state.” Sadoian added that Poochigian and his entourage went on a recent “whistle-stop” tour of the state in his motor home, trying to increase his name recognition and campaigning in a number of Democratic strongholds such as Los Angeles.

Poochigian said that his days as an undergraduate at Fresno State are what prepared him for a career in politics. “I was in student government and various clubs at Fresno State,” Poochigian said. “Being involved is very important. A lot of my support has come from my connections through my alma mater.

Whether you’re looking into a career in politics or something else, having those connections will serve you well.”

Poochigian said he keeps up to date about campus events and developments. “I take great pride in being a Bulldog,” Poochigian said.

While Poochigian seemed likely to face electoral defeat, fellow Fresno State alumnus Mike Villines handily won reelection to the State Assembly in the 29th district, receiving around 65 percent of the vote to defeat his Democratic opponent.

“My education and experience at Fresno State directly led me into politics,” Villines said.

Villines graduated from Fresno State in 1990 with a BA in political science and said teachers at the university played a big role by creating confidence in him and helped him realize that he could make a difference.

“I really feel like I benefited from Fresno State. It was a wonderful experience,” he said.

Two Fresno State alumni on the other side of the political aisle had mixed electoral fortunes as well.

Congressman Jim Costa, a former State Senator and current representative of the 19th district, won reelection opposed.

Current Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, also a Fresno State graduate, appeared to be locked in a difficult bid for the office of Insurance Commissioner.

With nearly 50 percent of precincts reporting, Bustamante had received about 36 percent of the vote while his Republican opponent had received about 52 percent.

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