As they race toward election day, Democrat Steve Clute says Republican Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia "obsesses" over tribal gaming.

Clute, a former state lawmaker, says he supports tribal gaming. But apparently not as much as Garcia, who went to bat for the tribes in the 80th Assembly District when they signed compacts to dramatically expand their casinos.

"I believe that the voters of this state have given sovereign tribal nations the right to be economically self-sufficient," Garcia said, The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported.

The Legislature failed to ratify the deals before the session ended. That hasn't stopped tribes from donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to Garcia in her race against Clute.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, one of the tribes that signed a compact, gave $450,000 to Republicans to pay for anti-Clute ads. The tribe and five others have since formed Team 2006 to contribute to friendly candidates.

Agua Caliente Chairman Richard Milanovich said the committee will spend upwards of $9 million, and possibly more, to get the deals ratified.

Get the Story:
Gaming deals take center stage (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 10/25)
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Tribe's success, future told at Kiwanis Club luncheon (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 10/25)