CA-21 in Play in 2014

[Le Taz Hot]

The Seat is currently held by freshman David Valadao (R); however, there's going to be a challenger -- Amanda Renteria (D). She's got a pretty impressive resume -- graduate of Stanford and Harvard, she worked with Senator Dianne Feinstein in California and with Rep. Debbie Stabinow in Michigan.

Here's more information:
"In addition to her high-flying résumé, Renteria is running in a district where 73% of the 712,866 residents are counted as Hispanic or Latino, according to Census Bureau records." (Renteria is Hispanic)

'Democrats also enjoy a 47%-32% voter registration advantage over Republicans in the district, which includes all of Kings and parts of Kern, Tulare and Fresno counties on the Valley's west side.'

http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/09/29/3522510/congressional-hopeful-wants-to.html

This one's in play and we need some outside money to battle the BIG bucks being sent Valadao's way. When November comes around, maybe some of you could see your way to some donations. I'll be volunteering for her campaign but I'm trying to get awareness going early on this one.

LTH

[msongs]

1. good news. is she a progressive/liberal or like Feinstein? nt

[Le Taz Hot]

3. No idea.

I don't even care if she's a Blue Dog and I HATE fucking Blue Dogs. Hell, I'm even re-registering as a Democrat (*cough*) from a "no party affiliation" status to work on the campaign. Early on her two big issues are immigration reform and water (a HUGE issue in the San Joaquin Valley). I'm sure there will be more as her campaign finds its feet though she's got a good early start. She met with Hispanic Mayors today which means she's shoring up Hispanic support early -- VITALLY important in the Valley.

This is what I know: We need something like 32 Seats to turn the House and this could be one of them.

[TeamPooka]

2. how in hell did Valadao win in 2012 in the first place with a D 47-32% advantage? Jesus

CA-21 get off your fucking asses and GOTV.

[Le Taz Hot]

4. Voter turnout, or lack thereof.

The area traditionally has low voter turnout. There has been lots of speculation as to why that is. This is a mostly-rural district with a large Spanish-only speaking population. A certain percentage are undocumented workers so they can't vote but that's nowhere near the majority of residents. Honestly, the local Democrats do what they can but they get no love from the California Democratic Party which is a shame because they're missing a real opportunity here. So it will be up to us, the locals, and whatever monies we can bring in from wherever we can to fight for this seat.

Re: The 2012 vote. Valadao won 57.8% against Hernandez, 42.2% in 2012. To be fair, Hernandez was basically a "sacrifice" candidate. That happens a lot around here. This time it's different. Renteria's got some gravitas coming into this thing.