The ability of the tribes to influence an election was illustrated in the Los Angeles mayor’s race in 2001. “Like a lot of special interests, tribal casino leaders will invest in a lot of candidates when they’re not certain of the outcome,” said former Assembly Speaker Leo McCarthy, a San Francisco Democrat and a critic of expanded gambling.

Many of the tribes want to see where the candidates stand on expanded tribal casinos and whether California should authorize slot machines at card rooms and horse tracks, a proposition the tribes oppose. “We’re just basically waiting to see who is for real and who is not.” I think the governor is on his way out,” he said. “In my mind, the recall is more than a done deal. “I believe all of them have potential to be a decent governor,” Armenta said.ĭeron Marquez, chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, said his tribe has decided to sit out the recall campaign, at least for the time being. “Nobody is showing their hands in any significant way,” said Howard Dickstein, a Sacramento attorney who represents several tribes.Īrmenta said he hopes to meet next week with Bustamante, Davis and McClintock. Tribes are taking a wait-and-see approach. “I think it is pretty difficult to blame one individual for all of the state’s problems.”

“Has Gray Davis really done that bad of a job?” asked Vincent Armenta, chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians. So far, no tribes have publicly stated plans to support the recall. After all, it was Davis who granted them the exclusive gambling rights they had sought for so many years and had failed to secure under Republican Gov. Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks has spoken out on behalf of tribal sovereignty and is viewed favorably by some tribes.Īnd the possibility still exists that tribes will oppose the recall. Tribal leaders are intrigued by the candidacy of Arnold Schwarzenegger and eager to learn his position on Indian gambling.

Indian casinos in san diego california