Judge declines to block Hagelin from campaigning

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - A state judge declined Thursday to block Reform Party presidential hopeful John Hagelin from campaigning under the party's banner.

A faction of the party aligned with rival Pat Buchanan had asked Superior Court Judge James L. Wright to force Hagelin and his loyalists to immediately stop a broad array of political activities.

Wright refused to do so after meeting privately with lawyers for both sides. He also turned down their request that he declare a presidential nominee, but said he would hear arguments in the case Wednesday. Attorneys said a ruling could be issued then.

The Reform Party split at its convention here last month, producing Buchanan and Hagelin as dueling nominees for president.

Buchanan spokesman K.B. Forbes said the former Republican isn't a party to the lawsuit, filed by the Reform Party faction aligned with him.

A federal judge in Lynchburg, Va., refused last week to designate a nominee as part of a similar suit brought by the Buchanan faction.

The Federal Election Commission is considering who should get $12.6 million in federal campaign funds. A public hearing is planned Tuesday in Washington and, whatever the outcome, the losing side is certain to appeal the decision in federal court.

Wright made no comment about the case when he re-entered the courtroom. Both sides declared victory outside. They had contended that the state court in Long Beach had jurisdiction over the matter since the party held its convention here in August.

Dale Cooter, attorney for the Buchanan faction, said that by scheduling a hearing Wednesday the court was moving at ''record speed'' on the legal claims.

David White, lawyer for Hagelin's wing, flashed a thumbs-up as he left Wright's chambers.

The Buchanan faction had sought an order barring Hagelin and his allies from portraying Hagelin as the nominee, working to place him on state ballots, collecting donations, issuing news releases, operating the party's official Web site and recruiting members.