California Dems Expected to Vie for Lantos Seat

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California Dems Expected to Vie for Lantos Seat
By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff


California Democratic Rep. Tom Lantos ’ retirement announcement Wednesday put former Democratic state Sen. Jackie Speier at the top of his list of successors in the highly Democratic 12th District — at least for the time being.

Speier, a lawyer, established an exploratory campaign for the seat and has been the only candidate who has taken steps toward running in the district.

Speier had indicated she planned to challenge Lantos from the left in the June 3 Democratic primary but Lantos was highly favored to win re-election. Lantos, who turns 80 next month, has served in Congress since 1980 and has easily dominated his re-election contests since 1984. Lantos announced Jan. 2 that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and would not seek re-election to his San Mateo-area seat.

Without Lantos on the Democratic primary ballot, Speier has a much stronger chance of winning the Democratic nomination, but an open seat race is bound to attract additional Democratic candidates who will be eager to run in the strongly left-leaning district. State Sen. Leland Yee already had been named as a potential candidate for the seat prior to Lantos’ announcement.

“In the coming days, we will take a hard look at the challenges this district faces in filling the shoes of Congressman Lantos, but today is not the day to be thinking about future political office,” Yee said in a statement noting that his “thoughts and prayers” were with the congressman and his family.

Speier could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.

CQ Politics rates the race as Safe Democrat.

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