As a crucial primary nears, track the California races that could flip the House
By Christina Bellantoni, Julie Westfall and Allison Wisk
Originally Published Sept. 13, 2017, Updated Jan. 24, 2018, Next Update: March 2018
California’s June 5 primary will set the course for which congressional districts will be battlegrounds — or missed opportunities — this fall. With just over two months to go, we’ve updated our rankings of the most competitive contests in the state. The stakes in the midterm elections couldn’t be higher: control of the U.S. House. Democrats consider 10 Republican-held districts here to be battlegrounds and can’t win the House without winning at least a few of them.
Retirements in Southern California have created two open-seat races that could make that task a bit easier. On the other hand, the Republicans running to replace them might fare better against crowded fields of Democratic hopefuls, many of whom are seeking office for the first time. California’s top-two primary system could threaten Democrats, too, as Republican candidates could grab the top two spots in certain races and advance to the general election, shutting Democrats out.
Delaine Eastin, California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction 1995–2003, is the first non-millionaire female running for governor of California.
Eastin spoke with gusto and a sense of humor at the Progressive Democrats of Benicia meeting on March 13, 2018. She is an intelligent, energetic politician, and a non-corporate funded candidate who is authentic and progressive.
When asked what she wanted people to mostly remember about her talk, Eastin said her comments about education. Her blue-collar family made education a priority and she views this opportunity a gift that gave her a sense of optimism, understanding, and confidence to make choices that would shape her destiny and change her life. Delaine Eastin wants this opportunity for every child and has made education a foundational issue of her campaign.
She states that California is now the 41st state in per pupil spending and the 1st state in per prisoner expenditure. Since 1985 California has built 13 colleges and universities and 23 prisons. Delaine said this is a waste of human resources and tax dollars, and the school to prison pipeline, a reality for some, she is determined to change. She believes that educational opportunities can reduce crime and incarceration and that it can boost economic development. It makes sense and it is the right thing to do.
Delaine describes herself as the candidate with the courage, vision, and heart to do the job. She said other politicians might tell you what you want to hear but don’t have the heart, courage, and vision to do it. Delaine said she has all three: she sees the big picture, has the courage to make the tough choices that will make a difference, and the heart to govern for all people including those at the margins.
In addition to education and prison reform, Delaine Eastin also wants to implement affordable housing, health care for all, and gun control. She will work towards banning fracking, closing the prop 13 corporate tax loophole, writing a long-range plan for California, addressing climate change, plus a myriad of other goals. Though Eastin has made education her foundational issue the environment, economy, crime prevention, and health care are also important issues to her.
Delaine Eastin’s resume includes extensive work in government as California’s first woman Superintendent of Public Instruction, as state assemblywoman 1986-1994 for districts 18 & 20, and councilwoman for Union City 1980-1986. She was a corporate strategic planner for Pacific Telephone and a professor at community colleges and Mills College.
During her various careers, Delaine Eastin has honed a hands-on approach to problem solving: first consulting with the staff to identify the problem, building consensus and working together to find answers and resolve obstacles, and implementing solutions. She is an energetic leader doing as she says a “full-court press” and claims to have a brass backbone. “Speak the truth even if your voice shakes.” is a Maggie Kuhn‘s quote that Delaine Eastin follows even when it is difficult.
Delaine Eastin’s Democratic primary challengers are Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, Treasurer John Chiang, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Amanda Renteria a former aide to Senator Feinstein. Republican primary candidates are Assemblyman Travis Allen and businessman John Cox.
The Progressive Democrats of Benicia will meet April 10th, at 7 p.m., in the Benicia Public Library when California State Senator Kevin de Le’on will speak about his campaign for U.S. Senate.
Remembering lives lost in Parkland, Florida … and calling for sensible national gun control
On March 24, 2018, a March for Our Lives will be held in Benicia, California. The community is invited to gather in solidarity with the families and friends of those killed in the Parkland school massacre. We will join those marching in Washington D.C. and over 850 cities around the world on Saturday, March 24, demanding that sensible gun laws be passed by Congress and signed by the President.
High School students and concerned others will gather on the First Street Green at the foot of First Street (map) at 10 A.M. and march up First Street to City Park, located at Military and First Streets (map). A group of distinguished guests will speak from the gazebo in City Park, including several Benicia High School students and teachers, Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, Benicia Poet Laureate Johanna Ely, Solano County Supervisor Monica Brown, and representatives of our state and federal governing bodies. Benicia Vice Mayor Steve Young will serve as master of ceremonies.
