535.com/freshmen-freshmen
Hello all and welcome back to another edition of 535.com's congressional reports. Well, since then our editorial board has come up with several new ideas on bringing you, the american people, more knowledge about those who represent you in our capital. And today will be the one of the newest installment of our new series - a spinoff of sorts from our last one. Known as the "Freshmen Freshmen!" From Conneticut, we go to the congressional delegation from California. And we'll be turning things over to the man who did such an amazing job last year on his state's delegation, San Francisco Chronicle columnist Parker LaRouche!!!
Thanks guys... Or rather 535.com. Welcome back to the Goldest state in the union! The California sun is turning the state golder and golder by the year. Too bad that metaphor doesn't really work with bluer and bluer by the year - well I mean I guess I could make a joke about global warming and rising ocean levels - but that's not the point. What is the point you ask? California is an ever changing map of pieces and gerrymandered districts, but what's interesting is that last year, almost all of the districts that have a cook PVI rating up to D/R+5, flipped to the other party, resulting in an overall democratic gain of a single seat. Oddly, democrats picked up seats in Southern California, but lost two in in the northern part (but not really NorCal). But let's get going, and let's start by overlooking the two new senators the state has!!! Let's get to it.
Senior Senator: Sam Seaborn, Democrat
This time last year, Mr. Seaborn was campaigning to win the seat formerly held by Justine Avery. Despite leading in almost all the polls, the seat was contested by the son of former President Lassiter, Richard Lassiter. Seaborn would go on to defeat the young conservative scion by 7 points, 53-46. Now he is one of the most popular men in the democratic party and is seen as one of the top young lawmakers in Washington. The former Bartlet stalwart has revived the "Bartlet Brand" in the democratic party, which, I have to say is odd, given him coming from the conservative home of Orange County.
Fun Fact: A very unknown fact about Mr. Seaborn, but one that definitely makes sense, is that he is an avid surfer. Coming from Newport Beach, it makes sense. There is one picture out there of Sam wiping out on Waikiki beach in Hawaii. I'm sure now that he's on the intelligence committee, he's had that picture erased from the face of the earth, but I can swear to attest that it existed at one point in time.
Reelection prospects: It's a little early to be talking about this, but hey, we did it last year! Sam's currently got approval ratings through the roof, and isn't up for reelection till 2016. I mean, I know I'm five years off, but at this point I'd say he's a shoe-in for a second, third, fourth, however many terms he wants! Maybe he'll even be a Presidential candidate one day!
Committee Assignments: Appropriations, Energy and Natural Resources, Judiciary, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Select Intelligence
Personal Statement: "Hello fellow 535.com readers! I am Senator Sam Seaborn, and I am also the record holder of the shortest period of time served as the junior senator before becoming the senior senator. Parker is apparently asking the new representatives of California to describe their political ideologies. I can answer that easily. I am a true believer in the American dream, the dream that one day we will achieve the goals of our founding fathers that we shall all be equal and free. I believe that government can be a tool to help us get there, and that there is a perfect balance to how powerful it is. I am in the mold of Jed Bartlet, good government, no more, no less."
Junior Senator: Nicole Kershaw, Democrat
This time last year, Nicole Kershaw was still the fledgling mayor of San Francisco and leading member of the Youth in Revolt. She was getting a lot more prominence as she fully embraced Sam Seaborn's senate candidacy and encouraged younger people to vote for him. Seaborn was elected, and she was expected to return to running San Francisco until a spot in California's higher level of politics opened up for her. Lone and behold!!! Mark Kerrison then resigned from his post, and after much deliberation, Governor Kevin Clarkson appointed her to the US senate and she's been here ever since.
Fun Fact: This occurs from having the biggest "bro" for a husband, but Senator Kershaw has a secret love of the Call of Duty video game franchise. Her personal favorite is the recent release 'Call of Duty: Black Ops.' "I like it better than the others because it takes place during the Cold War. My favorite piece of history!" However, when I asked for her Xbox Live account name, she refused to give me that particular piece of info, sorry folks. She is very excited about the release of 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3,' which came out in early November.
Reelection Prospects: After being appointed by Clarkson, Kershaw deferred accepting the senior senator position to Seaborn, whom she has become very good friends with. But once she got into the senate, she has become a hard-nosed policymaker and a well respected committee member. Her work in the gang of 8 talks on deficit reduction scored her points with independents. Her work on the Consumer Protection Agency reaffirmed her position as a staunch liberal. Many assumed her youth in revolt ties might have hurt her, but at this point a full term is looking very likely for her in 2012.
Committee Assignments: Budget, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Personal Statement: "Hello all! I am Senator Nicole Kershaw of the great state of California. As for Parker's question, I am an American, and because I'm an American, I am a Liberal. I believe in the simplest American tradition. We Americans care about our fellow citizens, and we do so not just for ourselves, and for our families, our friends and neighbors, but also for our country, for each other, for people we have never seen and never will see. If we as a country can come together to reassure the nation at large that we still represent this tradition, we will reclaim our rightful place as the greatest nation on this earth."
13th District: Kara Sherman, Democrat
Young Kara Sherman is a mid-30s upper middle class soccer mom, with three kids, and her husband is chairman of the federal reserve bank of San Francisco, Daniel Malloy. Prior to last year, she'd never had a moments thought on the possibility of a future in politics. She was a successful housewife. All of that changed when her mother, Diane Sherman, was diagnosed with cancer and asker her daughter to step up. And now the younger Sherman has done that. Getting seats on energy and commerce and natural resources, she has become a staunch advocate for gearing towards a green economy.
Fun Fact: I'm not sure if this is really a fun fact, but it has some light and depth to it. Ms. Sherman was a massive substance abuser in her early adult life, and went to rehab. In fact, her first major incident, crashing into a fire hydrant while drunk driving, was widely publicized when her mother first ran for congress. Since then, she entered rehab, and has become a powerful advocate behind rehabilitation programs.
Reelection Prospects: Too far away to tell. But the seat is not a swinger at all, and should the younger Sherman decide that politics is her thing after all, the sky seems to be the limit for her.
Committee Assignments: Budget, Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources
Personal Statement: "Hi everyone! I'm congresswoman Kara Sherman, and I started this year off wanting to step out of the legacy of my mother. And I am attempting to do so by engaging the American public in the dangers our planet faces with the threat of global warming. I consider myself on the left, but I don't like to characterize myself. I was elected to represent the beliefs of my constituents and that is what I am doing here in Washington."
14th District: Ken Uyeda, Democrat
The 14th, prior to Uyeda's election last year, was held by the absolute most bizzare man to enter congress since the late 19th century. Wiley Reed. Who's voting record was as capricious as his name would make you think. Uyeda defeated him in a primary last year, and has never looked back, and neither has his district. The former mayor of Palo Alto and state senator had a large base to draw on, and is not letting them down. He's come under the tutelage of house financial services chairman, Jacob Klein and is using his mayoral experience well.
Fun Fact: Mr. Uyeda actually hails from Japan, and his bloodline actually leads back to an ancient lineage of ninjas!!! So Mr. Uyeda can hold the title of being the first mayor in American to be a ninja, and certainly the first ninja in the US congress.
Reelection Prospects: So pretty much, apart from Senators, the "reelection prospects" section is likely to be very thin. For the rest of them.
Committee Assignments: Education and the Workforce, Financial Services, Government Oversight
Personal Statement: "Good day America, my name is Ken Uyeda, and I am the congressman for the California 14th district. I believe that the big time investment bankers on Wall Street, who's reckless behavior led to the near collapse of our economy, and the destruction of the middle class, deserve to have a piece of justice served to them on a plate with a bow on top. I am a liberal"
18th District: Ronald Radovich, Republican
In one of the odder results, Veronica Camalita lost her seat to upstart conservative Ronald Radovich. He claims he is the second coming of Ronald Reagan, which is honestly a bit of a stretch. Just because you share initials, and starred in an infomercial doesn't make you an actor, and it doesn't mean diddly squat. But they are ideologically in line. Republicans are saying that the district is becoming more conservative now, but its far more likely that voters were disgusted with Carmalita following the revelation that she did in fact run a brothel with her husband while she was in congress. Ah well. Radovich hasn't done much so far, but if he wants to be like Reagan, he's gonna have to figure out a way into the governor's mansion.
Fun Fact: Betty, Mr. Radovich's personal assistant, has one of the easiest tasks. Order a Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato sandwich from the congressional deli. Every day. It is Ronald's favorite thing in the world, and, as he says, "there is no man that doesn't love bacon. But there is also no man that loves bacon as much as I do."
Reelection Prospects: ...
Committee Assignments: Appropriations, Judiciary, Rules and Administration
Personal Statement: "BACON STRIPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Being serious, I am a Reagan Republican."
20th District: Will Durham, Republican
Another little bit of a shocker, but less so than the 18th. Pascal was a bit too much of a rascal for the democratic leadership and lost in the primary to blue dog Jason Callison. Callison was polling well through out the summer and well into September, but then at their first debate, Callison made a pointed remark against teachers, and promising to cut certain education funding. That prompted students at Fresno high to draft their young idealistic social studies mayor, Mr. Josh Calvin. He gained track with younger voters, and eventually syphoned a solid 10% of democrats from Callison, giving Durham a 46-44-10 victory. It remains to be seen if he can hold the seat in a D+5 district without a third party candidate, but if he can, it'll be a big win for the GOP in California.
Fun Fact: Durham considers himself the most handsome man in congress.
Reelection Prospects:
Committee Assignments: Agriculture, Armed Services, Budget
Personal Statement: "Hello America, my name is William Williard Timothy Durham, my father is former Arizona Senator Brick Durham, who lost in his reelection big in 2000 against Bill Marienhoff. I come from a family of politicians, so I shall be a politician."
27th District: Randy Celeste, Progressive Alliance (Caucuses with the democrats)
Mr. Celeste has an interesting story. Former small business owner, starting up the store "Buy More" as a local alternative to Best Buy, and then becoming the mayor of Burbank. In 2009, during the peak of the healthcare debate and the recession, then-congresswoman Marie Noelle Castro went back on her word to vote in favor of the bill, and Mr. Celeste decided enough was enough. He ran against her in the primary, but lost by the skin of his teeth. Then he decided that he'd self fund an independent leftist campaign, joining up with the growing progressive alliance. Somehow, no republican ran, and Celeste took 54% of the vote. His primary reason for entering national politics, is to achieve comprehensive health care reform, and he's stated he'll continue to serve till he is either voted out, or health care reform is achieved.
Fun Fact: There are rumors that Senator Brett Logan (D-NC) once worked at the Buy More, but neither man is legally allowed to comment.
Reelection Prospects:
Committee Assignments: Appropriations, Agriculture, Education and the Workforce
Personal Statement: "I'm a liberal. I don't like conservatives. I don't like Republicans. And until a republican helps me get a real healthcare bill done, I won't like them."
30th District: Brody Lambert, Democrat
Lambert has quite the interesting background. He played the actor "Chad Vincent" in the political thriller "Ascension" who was chosen to join the democratic presidential ticket as the Veep. Mr. Vincent would then go on to murder the president-elect, and frame the republicans for it, but Mr. Lambert is not quite there. However, he was one of the earliest embracers of the youth in revolt, praising the goals and their liberal outlook on government. He says that he plans to retire from acting for a while to focus on his job as a congressman, and he seems intent on becoming chairman of some obscure committee one day.
Fun Fact: Lambert is actually quite likely to win an academy award for his role in Ascension.
Reelection Prospects:
Committee Assignments: Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform
Personal Statement: "Hey everybody, what's crackin? I'm President Chad Vinc- I mean, I'm congressman Brody Lambert. I gave up acting to focus on my duty to my country to serve. I hope to become chairman of some obscure congressional committee one day. Oh, and I'm what some might call a "Loony on the Left."
32nd District: Juan Vincente, Democrat
Vincente has joined congress for one reason, and one reason alone. Complete and total comprehensive immigration ref
orm in the United States. He's currently playing a key role in the ongoing discussions, but has recently come under fire as he, despite his freshman status, is ripping into republican leaders who refuse to budge anywhere to the left so far. He's become a close protege of chairman of the judiciary committee, Marvin Hallifax.
Fun Fact: He hates guacamole. WTF?
Reelection Prospects:
Committee Assignments: Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, Rules and Administration
Personal Statement: "This government must provide immigrants with an easier way of gaining citizenship. I'm not just talking about immigrants from Latin America. I'm talking about those seeking freedom from Africa, and Asia, like my republican colleague Annie Cao. This is an issue that affects all of us. So let's go!!!"
37th District: Kylie Sambrose, Democrat
Sambrose is the epitome of the Youth in Revolt. A young, attractive, public defense attorney, defeated an establishment democrat who had lost his way in the primary, and has been a staunch liberal vote since joining the house. She's going places, and many assume she is planning on running for attorney general eventually, and maybe stepping up further sometime in the future.
Fun Fact: Her father owns a fast food restaurant in LA, known as the Cluckin' Bell
Reelection Prospects:
Committee Assignments: Judiciary, Science, Space, and Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure
Personal Statements: "The youth in this country have taken their government by storm, and we're not going to let go until this country lives up to the expectations our founders have lain before us. I consider myself a liberal democrat and I admire men like Jed Bartlet and Lyndon Johnson. I am Kylie Sambrose."
44th District: Mark Ojai, Democrat
Mark Ojai (pronounced O-High) was one of the democrats trio of pickups in southern California last year, which was surprising to many. Sarah Alberson looked to be somewhat safe when the year began and her district had an R+6 rating and voted strongly for President Walken. However, Mark Ojai, the farming tycoon turned former mayor of Corona was recruited by Noah Gellman as to take down Alberson. He was successful, taking 51% of the vote to her 47%. He immediately joined the blue dog coalition and has developed a sense of deal making within the group, and has been a steady vote when they come-a-callin. He's broken with the leadership a number of times and is one of Tom Falkner's early supporters in the recall against governor Kevin Clarkson.
Fun Fact: Ojai made millions as a fruit farmer in Ojai, California. Not so much the farming aspect of it as the running the business of it. Thus when he was sworn in he promised that he would only take the salary of the median income in the country, which sits around $45,000.
Reelection Prospects:
Committee Assignments: Agriculture, Energy and Commerce
Personal Statement: "Oh hi! I'm Mark Ojai. I consider myself a moderate-leaning-liberal-conservative when I define myself on the political spectrum. That's because there are certainly things I am liberal on, like gay marriage and alternative energy, but there are things I am moderate on like taxes and regulation, and there are things I'm conservative on, such as abortion and gun rights. Make of me what you will."
45th District: Alex Perrin, Democrat
The second of the trio of SoCal seats picked up by democrats last year, Perrin had an easier time of it than Ojai. The seat is a much more of a swing district, with only an R+3 rating, and thus that allowed him more time on the stump with major democrats. He took great advantage of Sam Seaborn's whistle stop bus tour throughout the state which gave him a major boost in the polls. It also didn't hurt that his opposition, Mary Eaton, the mother of former MLB pitcher Adam Eaton, makes Hitler look sane. Not that she was trying to murder 6 million people, but rather her special knack for sticking her foot in her mouth and sound like a fool. Perrin won the seat with 54% of the vote and has put up a liberal voting record, but not one too far left to knock him out of the seat.
Fun Fact: Perrin, a New York native, actually ran in the 2005 New York City mayoral race as an independent candidate. He received 2.4% of the overall vote.
Reelection Prospects:
Committee Assignments: Financial services, Science, Space, and Technology
Personal Statement: "I'm Alec Perrin. I believe in America. I believe in America's people. Those are the things I consider when I consider which way I plan to vote."
47th District: Brendan Harper, Democrat
The third and final pickup for democrats in southern California. The 47th is infamous as it is where in 2002 a dead man won the election over an incumbent. Then Sam Seaborn had secretly the deceased's wife that he'd run in her husbands place in a special election. He lost, but is now a senator so it's all good. But Brendan Harper who worked in the public defenders office in Anaheim, has something to say to Mr. Seaborn if ever the two get into a spat. However unlikely that is... He beat Webb's successor Waylon Johns by a narrow margin winning only 50%. Harper is a good democrat, very party line type of guy, but tends to the moderate side. His district is only D+2, so it's not unreasonable.
Fun Fact: Harper is actually from just down the road in Laguna Beach, and said he'd be interested in seeing his congressional district shifted this year during the redistricting process so that he'd also represent his hometown. Well, rather than say he's interested, I should say he is a leading lobbyist for it. However, the 47th is the single district in Orange County that a democrat could win in a non-wave year, and Laguna certainly wouldn't help get him an easier district.
Reelection Prospects:
Committee Assignments: Energy and Commerce, Judiciary
Personal Statement: "Hello, my name is Brendan Harper. I believe in a free society that allows all to prosper rather than focusing on a particular group and giving them an easy ride. I am honored to be serving my constituents in Orange County, and will represent their wishes and desires so long as they remain within my district."
