CA-15: Stark (D) v. Swalwell (D)

[後援会]

Probably one of the most interesting races in the country. A Democrat v. Democrat race (top two), where the incumbent is probably one of the weakest incumbents in the country, but Stark still enjoys the support of the State Democratic Party and the state labor unions. Swalwell is banking on his support from the local Democratic party as well as support from the leftist media outlets, organizations like Daily Kos, and some degree of Republican crossover support. Also very interesting because no one knows how Republicans will vote with no Republican on the ballot.

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/the-daily-rundown/47413553/#47413553

MSNBC summarizes the race pretty well. What do other people think? It's a fascinating race. After all, how often are Republicans and Daily Kos in agreement?

[Zioneer]

Isn't Stark kind of a jerk? I guess if his opponent is progressive enough, I'll support him instead of Stark.

[後援会]

Isn't Stark kind of a jerk? I guess if his opponent is progressive enough, I'll support him instead of Stark.

That's part of it. He got passed over for the Means & Ways Chair for it (after Rangel's ethics problems).

Though the biggest issue is that he hasn't lived in California since the 80's.

[JulioMadrid]

I support Stark mainly because he's then only atheist in the Congress (yes, that's a stupid reason to support someone, but I don't care ). Anyway, I'd be OK with Swalwell in the House.

[後援会]

Oh yeah, he got caught threatening the children of the former Democratic Assembly Majority Leader (CA's lower house) because he didn't get an endorsement. And accusing Swalwell of being funded by Chinese bribes certainly cost him support from normally supportive Chinese voters. It really shouldn't be a competitive race, but Stark has a litany of self-inflicted wounds.

Anyways, it's already pretty obvious he's not running again in 2014, so there's actually quite an interesting situation where both of the people are angling to be anointed his replacement in 2014 are supporting him, before they start savaging one another.

Ellen Corbett is the State Senate Majority Leader and widely expected to run. You'd think she'd be the shoo-in (since California State Senate Majority Leader would be much more powerful a House Rep. if it weren't the term limit forcing her out in 2014), but Ro Khanna, a former Obama administration guy, is also certainly going to run. And he's fundraising literally an insane amount of money from the Indian community (he's Indian). Like about as much as Stark and Swalwell combined despite not actually running this year.

Also fun fact, both of them are from the "old" part of the district (like Stark), while Swalwell is from the parts added in during redistricting. So a defeated Swalwell might have be courted by both only two years after they completely savaged him.

[Sibboleth]

Isn't Stark kind of a jerk?

That's basically the only reason why he might be in any kind of trouble at all.

[Zioneer]

Isn't Stark kind of a jerk?

That's basically the only reason why he might be in any kind of trouble at all.

So kind of like how Allen West is in trouble because he yells about absolutely anything at anytime?

[krazen1211]

Allen West isn't in trouble. He is a Republican in a Republican leaning district with tremendous enthusiasm among Republican voters in a district that has plenty of Republican voters.

[後援会]

Isn't Stark kind of a jerk?

That's basically the only reason why he might be in any kind of trouble at all.

So kind of like how Allen West is in trouble because he yells about absolutely anything at anytime?

Kind of. Except Stark's been at it for 30+ years. And Stark actually threatens people with violence. Allen just calls them Communists and other things that are not true. But he doesn't actually threaten them with violence.