page_title: Garry South
section_title: Gray Davis campaigns 1994-2003
hierarchical_section_title: Garry South / Gray Davis campaigns 1994-2003
caption_attribution_description: English: Cartoon of former California Governor Gray Davis and his strategist Garry South
context_page_description: Garry South is a Democratic political strategist based in California and principal of Garry South Consulting. He is best known for managing Democrat Gray Davis’ successful gubernatorial campaigns in both 1998 and 2002. In 1998, the California Democratic Party had not been successful in electing a Governor for 20 years and only 3 Democrats had won previously in the 20th century. In 2011, the journal Capitol Weekly designated South among the top 50 most influential political players in California.
context_section_description: Soon after arriving in Southern California, South reengaged in politics and in 1994, managed Gray Davis’ winning campaign for Lieutenant Governor of California. While 1994 was a historically poor election year for Democrats nationwide--Republicans captured control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in decades and regained control of the Senate, Davis managed to capture more votes—aided by California’s large population—than any other Democratic candidate in the country. During Davis’ tenure as lieutenant governor, South served as Davis’ chief of staff.
caption: Garry South, Gray Davis cartoon
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