LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani lent his high-profile support Thursday to one of the Republican candidates seeking to oust Democrat Gray Davis as governor of California.
Giuliani endorsed Bill Simon, the son of former Treasury Secretary William E. Simon Sr., in his race for the Republican nomination against former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and California Secretary of State Bill Jones.
"Of all the candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor, Bill Simon is the one who has demonstrated the leadership California needs," Giuliani told a news conference at the Century Plaza Hotel.
Simon also announced the endorsement of the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, which helps highlight Simon's conservative credentials and law enforcement credentials.
"Bill Simon and I worked together as federal prosecutors in the Reagan administration," Giuliani said. "I have personally witnessed his leadership abilities and determination in difficult situations. I've also greatly admired his success in business and his dedication to his fellow man."
Giuliani told reporters that his endorsement was not meant as a criticism of Jones or Riordan, however his glowing words may give Simon a major boost in the area of name recognition at a time when Davis' popularity may be sputtering.
A new poll by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California showed Riordan with 41 percent of the vote to Davis' 37 percent; Jones and Simon both trailed by about 10 points, however one-in-four voters surveyed was undecided.
The poll of 2,023 voters found Davis getting unfavorable marks for his handling of the economy and education, which are highly important issues in the state.
Davis, who has been dogged for the past year by the state's costly electricity crunch, launched his first television ads in the campaign this week while Simon kicked off a statewide radio campaign on Monday.
"Up until now, my campaign has focused on conservative policy ideas and solutions for the problems facing California," Simon said. "This advertisement will help communicate to voters why I have the right experience at the right time to be governor."
