District 5, Civility 0

Petchel says the Buchanan incident wasn't the only reason for their decision. "Mary Rose and Earl have been quick to file complaints against officers who have contact with gang members. They are more apt to stand up for a gang member than they are for the police. . . . I think there are a lot of hardworking, honest voters out there in the district who are fed up with the Wilcoxes. Many of them, I think, have been hesitant to speak out against the Wilcox machine. Well, we're not afraid of the Wilcox machine," he says.

And Petchel says that animosity toward the Wilcoxes has translated into more dollars for PLEA's political action committee. He says the PAC has raised $30,000, more than it ever has before, and he attributes it entirely to opposition to Mary Rose Wilcox. "More police are coming forward than any time in my 20 years with the organization," Petchel says.

The heat generated by the campaign has meant more money for Wilcox as well. She says Gutierrez's letter of support for Espinoza was the best thing that's ever happened to her fund raising. Shortly after Gutierrez announced his support for Espinoza, the Wilcoxes say they raised $25,000 at Oaxaca restaurant in a single night. That's as much as they normally spend in an entire campaign. This time, Wilcox expects to spend $100,000.

Most observers say that if Wilcox survives Espinoza's challenge, it will be because she was able to get more endorsements early. Many of her most important endorsements came before Espinoza even entered the race.

And it's rumored that some of her most significant supporters might have gone differently if they'd been given a choice earlier.

"Tommy started late. It is true that there are people who might have gone differently if they hadn't already given their support to Mary Rose," says Danny Ortega, chairman of Congressman Ed Pastor's reelection campaign.

When he's told that he's one of those people rumored to be sorry Espinoza hadn't announced earlier, Ortega answers in a flat, emotionless tone.

"I told Mary Rose that I was going to support her. And that is what I am going to do," he says.