Evening star., 1942-03-25
Easy Victories Seen
For |ncumbents in
Coast Elections
No Outstanding Issues
Are Created us War
Overshudows Politics

BY the Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 25-
Political activity on the Pacific
Coast has been so overShadowed by
the war this year that most of the
Federal and State officials seeking
reelection are expected to have
little trouble retaining their posts.
AS one veteran politician put 1t.
candidate must have something
sensational to be heard above the
war clamor. thus placing incum-
bents in a favored position.
This belief is held by other OBJ
servers in Nevada and the Coast
States of California, Oregon and
Washington. AS yet there have
been no outstanding issues to Gre
ate interest in either the industrial
or farm areas.
However, some Democratic lead
ers have talked about putting up
opposition to Congressman who
have not voted 100 per cent with
President Roosevelt on war meas
ureS and questions of international
policy. This threatened opposition
has not materialized, however.
Pensions May Be Issue.
Opponents Of members of Con-
gress who voted themselves a pen
sion and then repealed the act are
expected to make the pension an
issue. Whether it will be much
of factor is doubtful.
The war has raised the question
of how the many thousands of air
plane. shipyard and other defense
workers will vote. A good portion
of these men moved in from other
States. One-year State residential
requirements may deprive many OF
them their vote.
In addition to "a Representatives,
the four States will elect two Sen
ators, two Governors and other off,
cials. The Pacific Coast congress
sional delegation will be increased
by four in this years elections,
California getting three new mem
bers and Oregon one as a result
of increased population counted in
the 1910 census.
Interest in Oregon, which holds
the first coast primary on May l5
is centered on the veteran Charles
L. McNary, Republican leader in
the Senate, and the race for Gov
ernor.
Senator McNary, who was Repub-
llcan vice presidential candidate in
1910, is likely to be reelected to a
fifth term without much opposition.
Willis Mahoney, a Democrat, who
came close to defeating Mr.. Nc
Nary in 1896, has said he would
support the Senator.
Smell to Oppose Sprague.
Gov. Charles A. Sprague, Repub-
lican, seeking his second term, will
be opposed in the primary by Earl
Smell, secretary Of state. There
have been no indications of close
primary battles in the four Oregon
congressional districts.
In California, which holds its
primary August 25, there has been
little talk of politics. The State
has no senatorial election but Sc
lects a full State ticket and %
Representatives. Culbert L. Olson
is expected to be a candidate for
a second term. His opponents are
uncertain as yet.
The California congressional sit
uation has been complicated by the
realignment of several districts due
to the increase OF three seats. De-
velopments are unexpected until
candidates start filing for of1ice
May 27.
Republicans IN Washington have
hopes of capturing two of the States
six congressional seats, now all held
by Democrats. Both districts are
in Eastern Washington, one being
the fifth which includes Spokane
where the bundles for Congress"
campaign originated after the pen
sion plan was passed.
Nevada Situation Uncertain.
However. the incumbent, Charles
H. Leavy, has been appointed Fed
eral judge, leaving an open contest.
The situation in Nevada, which
elects one Senator and a Repre-
sentative at large, is uncertain. 1t
depends on whether Representative
James Scrugham will be a candi-
date for reelection or seek the
Democratic senatorial nomination.
Berkeley L. Bunker, a Democrat
and youngest member of the Senate,
has announced his candidacy He
was appointed by Governor E. P.
Carville to I'LL until the November
election the vacancy caused by the
death of Senator Key Pittman.