| Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher was confirmed earlier this evening as Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, State Department, and therefore will resign soon from the House: Sen. Jon Kyl had delayed Tauscher's nomination over concerns about President Barack Obama's nuclear arms reduction talks with Russia. Kyl, R-Ariz., rescinded his hold Wednesday, allowing the confirmation process to continue.
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Tauscher is set to deliver her final remarks Friday morning from the floor of the House of Representatives, a speech that will mark the end of her 13-year congressional career. -MercuryNews.com
She is also getting married on Saturday, Maybe Sen. Kyl has a soft spot for weddings? Democrats enjoy an 18-point registration advantage in the district, so they head into the Special Election with a clear advantage: Tauscher put her early stamp on the race in March, endorsing Democratic state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier to succeed her.
But Tauscher’s involvement failed to clear the field for DeSaulnier.
In April, Democratic Lt. Gov. John Garamendi quit his 2010 bid for California governor and instead joined the fray for the 10th Congressional District seat.
State Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan also entered the race, bringing her base of support to the contest. Some Buchanan supporters argue that her gender gives her an added advantage in the contest. Both of California’s U.S. senators are female, as are 19 out of 53 House members, including Tauscher. Anthony Woods, an Army veteran of the Iraq war, is also running for the Democratic nomination and has received some nationwide attention for his campaign. Woods, who is openly gay, was discharged after challenging the Army’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy.-CQ
No Republicans have committed to the race yet. |
