• Antonio Villaraigosa,  Craig Huey,  Debra Bowen,  Jane Harman,  Janice Hahn

    Conservative Publisher Craig Huey to Run for Rep Jane Harman’s Congressional Seat?

    Craig Huey of ElectionForum.org

    I have known Craig since attending El Segundo High School in the 1960’s. He is a good friend – and consistently conservative over the decades.

    Rep. Jane Harman’s Congressional Distirct (CD-36) is tough for a Republican/conservative to run in, since the Democrats maintain an 18 point lead in registration. You know all about those gerrymandered California Congressional Districts, right?

     But, if Craig wants to run, then why not.

    A publisher of conservative election guides is considering entering the fray in the 36th Congressional District.

    Republican Craig Huey runs several websites, newsletters and forums that aim to “help Evangelical Christians vote their values,” including ElectionsForums.org and JudgeVoterGuide.org.

    Huey said local party leaders and Tea Party groups have approached him about running for the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Jane Harman, who plans to step down to lead the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

    “I’m talking to some people right now and getting a lot of encouragement to (run),” he said this morning.

    Huey, 60, lives just outside the district in Rolling Hills Estates, but said he might move if he decides to enter the race. He said he grew up in the area covered by the seat and runs an advertising company, Creative Direct Marketing Group, that is located in Torrance.

    Craig would be opposed by two formidable Democrats: Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn (from San Pedro) who has secured the endorsement of LA Mayor Antonio Villariagosa and Marina Del Rey resident and California Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

  • Jane Harman

    Update: California Democrat Rep. Jane Harman to Leave the House? Debra Bowen Vs. Janice Hahn

    +++++Update+++++

    Looks like two of the candidates will be California Secretary of State Debra Bowen of Marina Del Rey, who is termed out in 2014 and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn.

    Harman will likely announce her resignation tomorrow, according to sources.

    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 #1:

    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.

  • Jane Harman

    California Democrat Rep. Jane Harman to Leave the House?

    Harman will likely announce her resignation tomorrow, according to sources.

    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.