Updated

Making his first public statement about the troubles of his longtime friend, Gov. Gray Davis on Monday said he is "disheartened" by Rep. Gary Condit's response to the disappearance of intern Chandra Levy.

Davis said he did not see Condit's televised interviews Thursday night, but said he is "disheartened that Congressman Condit did not speak out more quickly or more fully."

Davis and Condit, both Democrats, have been friends and political allies for years. Condit's son, Chad, works as Davis' Central Valley liaison, and Condit's daughter Cadee works in the Governor's office. Davis said both of the adult children "have been doing a wonderful job."

Davis said he and his wife, Sharon, have prayed for the Levy family.

"We pray for the Levy's every night and we pray for Chandra's safe return," Davis said at a bill signing near Sacramento.

Condit, of Ceres, has admitted that he and the missing Washington, D.C., intern had a "close" relationship. But Democrats from Capitol Hill to California have criticized his performance during a media blitz last week as unapologetic and guarded.