Dems: Sandra Fluke files for Henry Waxman seat bid

[JDPriestly]

29. California has an open primary. The top two candidates regardless of party go forward to the

general election. If a lot of Democrats run against one Republican in the primary, the Democrats risk splitting the vote, and the district could end up with just one Democrat against a Republican. In many districts or races in Los Angeles, two Democrats run against each other in the general election.

http://www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/election-law/californias-new-top-two-open-primaries-explained.html

"Under the current top two system, political parties are no longer responsible for nominating a candidate to run for state and Congressional offices in the general election. Instead, all candidates are lumped together and simply indicate a "party preference." The two with the most votes advance to the general. The top two candidates can even be from the same party, so it's now possible to receive a general election ballot with a choice of two Democrats, for instance, and no one else."

If a lot of Democrats run and split the vote, or if a strong independent can obtain enough votes to best any one of a number of Democrats, we could end up with an independent running against a Republican. It isn't likely, but it could happen.

Waxman ran against an "independent" named Bloomfield who is a former Republican.

Waxman got 53.7% of the vote, and Bloomfield got 46.3% of the vote. It wasn't close, but Waxman did not win by 60%.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/government-and-politics/20121107/33rd-congressional-district-henry-waxman-survives-challenge-from-bill-bloomfield

It will be a hotly contested race, and Marianne Williamson who is also very liberal and quite well known on the West side of Los Angeles is also running. It could be a tough race. I have a friend who is a big supporter of Williamson and has given me her campaign literature. Williamson wrote a book called, "Course of Miracles" which is popular in some quarters. She also strated a charitable project to help fight AIDS called Project Angel Food.

It could be a tough race for someone as young as Sandra Fluke. On the other hand, she has national renown, is very young and vibrant, attractive, intelligent, a lawyer and has a great deal going for her, Sandra Fluke is not a slam-dunk win in my view. She could do quite well, but there will be other strong contenders so there is a good chance it will be a tough race.