FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 1998

CONTACT: John Sullivan PHONE: (916) 443-4900

Attorney General candidate Bill Lockyer has received more than $1 million in political contributions from plaintiffs trial lawyers, according to the Civil Justice Association of California's review of the latest reports filed with the Secretary of State.

This is a $250,000 jump from the total reported just last week and included in an article in the October 26 issued of the Daily Journal legal newspaper. In the article, Lockyer's campaign staff confirmed the accuracy of the Civil Justice Association of California-researched numbers.

Lockyer's opponent David Stirling reported receiving $8,700 from plaintiffs trial lawyers.

Review by Civil Justice Association of California of the most recent reports shows candidates for statewide and legislative officers in California receiving nearly $8 million since January.

"This is one of the biggest special interest election splurges ever inflicted on the voters of the Golden State," said Civil Justice Association of California president John H. Sullivan.

"While political contributions are a legitimate part of our freedom to communicate and select our representatives in government, the public should know when narrow interests are running a massive program to elect people they hope will look out for them in Sacramento," Sullivan said.