CA: House race shows Democrats' improved prospects in Inland Empire

[ellisonz]

Longtime Riverside County supervisor, a Republican, might once have easily won a seat in Congress, but Democrats hold the edge in his district. New residents and political boundaries have shaken things up.
By Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times

March 16, 2012

For the first time in 20 years, a Republican running for Congress in Riverside needs help.

John Tavaglione huddled with supporters in the mirrored back room of a local Coco's on a recent rainy evening, laying out a ground game for his first crack at federal office. As a Republican and political heir of a powerful Riverside family, the longtime county supervisor would have breezed into Washington, D.C., in past elections.

The Inland Empire was heralded as California's new conservative frontier — the "new Orange County" — just 10 years ago. But political districts have been remade. Weed-covered fields have metamorphosed into Spanish-tile suburbs packed with new voters.

In the district Tavaglione is eyeing, Democrats hold the edge in registration, symptomatic of the GOP's slide countywide.

More: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-inland-politics-20120316,0,2122500.story

Democracy for America endorsed Mark Takano today to oppose Mr. Tavaglione:

Democracy for America Mark Takano (CA-41)
Released: Mar 14, 2012 10:02 AM

Burlington, VT – Today Democracy for America (DFA) endorsed Mark Takano for Congress. Mark is a true progressive champion fighting to protect the community needs in California’s 41st District.

"It is a great privilege to endorse Mark Takano for Congress,” said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA. “Mark has the courage and tenacity to change the tone in Washington. He has continuously fought for the rights middle class Californians and is the kind of leader we need right now.”

Mark Takano responded to the DFA endorsement with enthusiasm:

Mark Takano: “I am excited and honored to receive the endorsement of Democracy for America. I look forward to working with DFA to advance the priorities of my district: creating jobs for middle class families, improving schools so that our children can compete in the new economy, and cleaning up our air quality so everyone in the Inland Empire can breathe a bit more easily. Together, we can put the needs of hardworking Americans back on the agenda in Washington.”
###

Ladies and Gentlemen, forget the Presidential race, the real action this November is the House and Senate. If we don't take back the House and expand our majority in the Senate we will just have more of the gridlock that so many have despised for the last two years.

[Art_from_Ark]

1. I think this may be SoCalDem's district

It would be interesting to hear her chime in on this House race (hint, hint)

[IndyJones]

2. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I would be very surprised if a democrat won this area.

I don't see Corona going dem. Just being honest. Maybe parts of Riverside, but not Corona. I don't know where these "Spanish tile suburbs" are located that they're talking about, but they are not in this city. What does that even mean?

The last few years have been very tough in this area. Schools that once had long waiting lists to get in because they were so severely impacted now have vacancies. Very heavily hit with foreclosures and a lot of bitterness over Wall St. bail outs when Main St. has suffered greatly. The schools were so crowded in recent years that they were all year round. Not now. They are on traditional and have open spots now. Parents are buying classroom supplies for the teachers around here because there is not enough money. I believe the teachers have like $150 to spend for the entire year. We get notes home asking for supplies all the time. When we bought our home, there were literally six foreclosures on this block. I know so many people who have lost their homes. There are two on our block that I know of right now.

With the exception of a few teachers I know, I am definitely in the minority around here. I don't know, maybe Riverside is different?

[ellisonz]

3. I think it means upscale.

Without knowing the district maps, and having not ventured east of the 605 in quite awhile, I'm not sure where they're talking about.

The Inland Empire sure has taken it on the chin.

[IndyJones]

4. This is considered the "upscale" part of South Corona. It's very Republican.