Bench is deep for California Democrats

by Brian Leubitz

Congressional seats don’t come up often, and when people get there, they tend to stay. The California Congressional delegation is no different. Except right now, the delegation has several septuagenarians, and as Pete Stark learned, there are always a few people spoiling for a fight. And so Roll Call, a publication that caters to DC insiders, takes a look at some of the potential replacements.

In 2012, an aging delegation mixed with a fresh round of redistricting and a reformed primary process resulted in an extensive new crop of California members of Congress. In all, the largest state in the country elected 14 new House members last cycle, a 26 percent turnover rate in a state known over the past decade for its dearth of competition.

Despite losing one of their own seats last year, Democrats netted four new seats, expanding their delegation majority to 38 of the 53 seats. And with two-thirds of the state legislative seats, there are plenty more Democrats in the pipeline ready to move up at the next opportunity.

They go on to highlight a few legislators and local leaders that are looked on locally as replacement for some of the more senior members of the delegation. Todd Gloria, a San Diego City Councilman, for Rep. Susan Davis. Sen. Mark Leno for Minority Leader Pelosi, Das Williams and Hannah-Beth Jackson for Rep. Lois Capps, and a few more.

But Congressional seats are valuable, and nothing is ever that simple. Many of these races will end up in a tough race for the Top-2, with the possibility of some Dem-on-Dem general elections in the next few election cycles.

Photo credit: Asm. Das Williams from his website.