Some of the most competitive House races in California in November could pit Democrats against Democrats, analysts said. But while state Democrats are likely to pick up a couple of seats in Congress in November, Tuesday’s results will also force left-leaning organizations to think hard about where – and where not – to focus their resources this fall. The top-two primary created several Democrat-versus-Democrat races in November that would have been impossible under the previous system. Tuesday’s primary created fewer Republican-on-Republican matchups in the fall. While the number of California Democrats in Congress probably will grow, there will be a near-term cost to the party.
Races such as the battle in the Second Congressional District, which will likely pit two Democrats against each other will drain liberal resources from other parts of California, said Paul Mitchell, a Democratic consultant who has analyzed the demography of California’s congressional districts for its redistricting process. Such intra-party battles will drain Democratic Party money, analysts said. Also, gay rights, labor and environmental grassroots activists will be spread thinner as the Democratic battles splinter their resources.
That will be the case in the San Fernando Valley race between longtime Democratic Reps. Howard Berman and Brad Sherman. They have spent a combined $5 million on their primary race – a total that the deep-pocketed congressmen will multiply by November.
Full Article: California House races present dilemma for Dems.