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Palm Springs (January 16)-"I have to go to Los Angeles tomorrow, but we'll talk further when I get to Washington in another week."

With those words, Mary Bono closed our brief visit following the RNC luncheon that featured Newt Gingrich (R.-Ga.) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R.-Ill.). Surrounded by well-wishers at the Renaissance Hotel, the 38-year-old widow of Rep. Sonny Bono (R.-Calif.) drew a standing ovation in her first public appearance since the funeral of her husband a week before.

No one there wanted to publicly ask the question that was undoubtedly on the minds of many of those offering their condolences: Would she become a candidate to succeed her late husband in the 44th District (Palm Springs) in the special election April 7?

Six days later, Mary Whittaker Bono confirmed that she would indeed make the race. Sources told me that, while visiting with the young widow before the luncheon, Gingrich had urged her to run-as had Dan Quayle and Bono family friend Jack Kemp in telephone calls to her.

In addition, 1992 Republican U.S. Senate nominee Bruce Herschensohn-a close friend of the family who delivered one of the four eulogies at Sonny's funeral-had also encouraged a candidacy by Mary Bono.

Three nights after I met with her, Mrs. Bono confirmed during an interview on "Larry King Live" that she has been the subject of considerable encouragement to become a candidate. Her major concerns in making a decision are her two children, 9-year-old Chesare and 6-year-old Chianna. "I need to know that they would be comfortable with whatever I do," she told King. But apparently the kids have now given their OK.

Although University of Southern California graduate Bono has never held office and her views on most issues are unknown to the public, she is a familiar fixture throughout the district. She spent the four years when Sonny was mayor as a very visible First Lady of Palm Springs, and she was a popular surrogate campaigner for her husband in his two House campaigns.

Perhaps most important from a political perspective, the reverence for Sonny Bono among neighbors and constituents that was so evident at the time of his funeral is likely to translate into a coronation for Mary Bono should she make the race.

For example, conservative State Assemblyman Jim Battin (R.), son of late Montana U.S. Rep. (1960-69) and U.S. District Judge James F. Battin, had long signaled he would run for Congress if close ally Bono sought another office or stepped aside. Before Bono's announcement, Battin told friends he would run only if Mary Bono opted not to.

Copyright Human Events Publishing, Inc. Jan 30, 1998
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