California Democrat Rep. Jane Harman to Leave the House?
Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) is likely to resign from Congress to succeed Lee H. Hamilton as president of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a close friend of Harman’s told POLITICO. The nine-term intelligence expert notified House officials of the negotiations in writing on Monday.
The final decision is to be made by the Woodrow Wilson Center’s board on Tuesday. The center, established by Congress, is part of the Smithsonian Institution.
Harman has represented her Los Angeles County district in the House beginning in 1993.
She telephoned a series of colleagues on Monday morning to let them know, including House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).
Harman was preparing to send a letter to her constituents explaining her negotiations to join the Woodrow Wilson Center.
Harman’s decision could represent, in part, the frustrations of an ambitious, accomplished Democrat who is suddenly back in the minority.
Well, Jane Harman is a moderate Democrat (at least to California and Nancy Pelosi standards) who will be redistricted next year, has limited prospects to run for California statewide office (she ran once for Governor and got nowhere, losing to Gray Davis in the 1998 Democrat Primary), richer than God and sees no prospect that the Democrats will be in the House majority anytime soon.
So, why not bail?
Her seat will be filled by a special election, but I wonder if the new top two law law will apply to this special election?
Update:
Yep, as Chris Cillizza points out it will be the first time the new California primary election rules will be applied. Therefore, look for many Democratic candidates.