Former basketball star Walton runs for California governor

Nate Walton '01, former first-team All-Ivy basketball star at Princeton, has caught the media's eye recently — but not for his jump shots or passing ability. Walton is taking a shot at political activism — as a candidate for California governor — in what seems like a free-throw competition to recall Governor Gray Davis.

As senior captain in the 2000-01 season, Walton led the Tigers to a breakthrough Ivy Championship title which took them to the NCAA Tournament. He finished the season with 115 assists — becoming the fourth player in school history with two seasons of at least 100 assists — and averaged 10.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

Walton went to play professionally in France after graduation but returned when the team went under. Now, while working towards an MBA at Stanford, the politics major is attempting to take leadership in his home state's government.

Walton said he views the election as "an exercise in political activism." His father, basketball Hall of Fame legend Bill Walton, encouraged him in his decision to run for governor. Political discussion is common for the basketball family — his brother Luke plays for the Los Angeles Lakers — and the consensus was that Nate could do a better job than some of the other candidates. Thus, why not give it a shot?

"It's a good way to promote what I believe in," Walton said. His campaign focuses on affordable education and environmental protection. His website (www.nate4gov.com) also addresses mass transit and traffic problems in the state.

Walton's concern for the environment and higher education can be traced to his senior thesis about a theory of justice based on compassion for "people less fortunate and all sorts of life forms that we share the planet with," politics professor Pat Deneen, Walton's former thesis advisor, said.

In his thesis, "he was bringing a voice of concern for the state of current affairs with more of an emotional aspect than theses that try to dissect policy with a rational knife," Deneen added.

Though he stands for strong ideals, Walton doesn't truly believe that he'll win the race. He won't even be checking his own name on the ballot Oct. 7.

The ballot consists of two votes — the first to decide whether to recall Davis; the second to decide on a replacement candidate if the voter is in favor of the recall.

"I'm voting 'no' on the recall," Walton admitted. "Polls show the citizens want change, but this is not the way to go about it."

This independent candidate's choice is not out of support for Davis, but rather reflects a commitment to the outcome of fair elections — the democratic means that initially put Davis in office.

"This recall is basically a farce," Walton proclaimed, noting that the 800,000 signatures required to initiate the recall election comprise a small fraction — about 3 percent — of the state's 34 million people, according to the 2000 census.

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Walton believes recall elections should be reserved for grievous political mishaps. While Davis is criticized for California's huge budget deficit, Walton pointed out that the federal deficit is up to 10 times that of California's.

Nevertheless, Walton joined the 135-candidate race to present his principles and press for change. And he wasn't going to remain on the sidelines once he heard Republican candidate and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined the race.

While on the Roger Hedgecock show in San Diego, Walton openly criticized the former bodybuilder's credentials. He stipulated that Schwarzenegger probably couldn't pass a single class at Princeton.

'Analytical skills'

"I'm still not sure Arnold knows how to read and write," Walton told the 'Prince.' "He's 56 years old. His entire life has been about weightlifting and movies about killing people. That hardly inspires me to place my trust in his hands. Running the state takes a lot of analytical skills."

Which is why the Princeton grad figured he belonged in the race. His entry required $3,500 and 65 signatures, which he gathered from his neighborhood in San Diego and at the beach. With a check from his dad and step-mom, Walton filed the petition one day before the Aug. 10 deadline — a would-be Dean's Date triumph.

Since then, Walton's meager $1500 campaign budget has been channeled toward advertising through a website, T-shirts and bumper stickers. But it's bigger than it sounds.

Walton has gathered political recognition beyond his state borders. On more than one occasion, he received an email saying that the writer's home state could benefit from having people like him in government. He has received media exposure by appearing on local television shows and on major networks including MSNBC and Fox.

Walton said he has urged supporters to give smaller donations than they initially offered, telling them he weighs financial contributions "more as a measure of support."

Walton hopes to appeal to young voters and inspire them by his effort in running.

"My main reason in running is to promote activism among young people," Walton said. "I think democracy is taken for granted and one of our rights and duties is to take an interest in it. I find it disturbing that most young people don't care."

Walton has spoken at his high school and was invited by Princeton alumnus Elsa Chan '91, a political science professor, to speak today at Santa Clara University in California.

Walton may consider a political career "down the line," but more likely has a future in academia or public interest work. Following an MBA at Stanford, Walton sees himself as a professor or working in international development at the U.N. or World Bank.