Last December I took a look at the potential for a Special Election in CA-41. While that scenario would be the best opportunity to pick up the seat, Democrats would have a strong shot against the embattled congressman. Yet there is a third option, an Open Seat. And GOP insiders on the Hill are floating trial balloons to Bob Novak that Jerry Lewis won’t be running for re-election. I especially enjoyed the context provided:

Lewis is one of at least six Republican House members from California who have faced ethical scrutiny, beginning when Duke Cunningham was sent to prison. Most recently, Rep. Ken Calvert, who was sponsored by Lewis for a coveted Appropriations Committee seat, is under attack. He replaced Rep. John Doolittle, another Californian who resigned from the committee because the Justice Department was investigating him.

The CA GOP has been running a racket and it is finally catching up. And if last night’s blograiser was any indication, the Democratic Party base is pumped.

Any word on potential candidates? Is San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris interested? I’d expect that there should be a lot of chatter following this story.