A very interesting development in one California Congressional primary

By Rob Janicki

An interesting turn of events occurred on Tuesday in the 33rd Congressional District in California.  What is important or at least noteworthy is that the leading candidate happens to be a Republican.  The seat in the 33rd CD is currently held by ultra liberal Henry Waxman, who has announced his retirement at the conclusion of his present House term in January 2015. Waxman has been a U.S. Congressman for 39 years in a variety of CD's that have changed their numbering with redistricting.  However, the district remains the same for the most part.

California's 33rd Congressional district has long been considered one of the Democrats' most valuable stretches of real estate, but in Tuesday's open primary Republican Elan Carr was the top vote-getter among a field of 18 candidates vying for a chance to advance to the general election.

Carr jumped to an early lead as the Democrats split the vote in the race to succeed longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman. State Sen. Ted Lieu, who finished in second place, will face off against Carr in the November election.

The 33rd CD is very liberal and heavily Jewish, which should make it an interesting contest on November 4, 2014.  and here's why.  Carr is Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel with family ties to Israel.  Both of his parents immigrated from Israel.  Carr's parents are also prominent in several synagogues in the 33rd District.  Also, Carr is an Iraq war veteran and gang prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Carr's challenge will be in raising funds for the general election this November.  Somehow, I think Carr will manage to find the funds necessary to run a competitive race.  Waxman needed over $2 million dollars to win his last re-election bid in 2012.  Carr raised $423,000 for the primary, which was far from the most raised among all the candidates running in the primary.  Carr will be facing a Democrat that brought in $1 million dollars in funding and still ran second to Carr.