Aguilar-Reyes Primary Battle in California Is Test for Democrats

(OK, this is the heading from the WSJ, still an interesting story..)

(snip)

At issue is an open California seat that was the scene of the Democrats' most bitter loss in 2012: A liberal-leaning district (that delivered 57% of its presidential vote to President Barack Obama) was won by a Republican after Democratic candidates split their party's vote, sending no Democrat to the general election. Under state rules, the top two vote-getters in a nonpartisan primary move to the general election, even if they are in the same party.

Determined to avoid repeating that scenario, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee moved quickly last year to endorse Pete Aguilar, the 34-year-old mayor of the Southern California city of Redlands. But another candidate, lawyer Eloise Gomez Reyes, jumped into the race with the support of Emily's List, an influential group that promotes female candidates who support abortion rights. That set up an intraparty battle for California's June 3 primary. While it is considered a long shot for Democrats to pick up the 17 House seats they need for a majority, the California district is one of the party's most promising pickup chances.

For the most part, Democrats in the past few election cycles have faced relatively few high-profile congressional primaries, compared with the numerous GOP primary fights that pit the tea-party wing against more centrist, pro-business Republicans. But in a few districts, Democrats are running as self-described outsiders against party favorites. In Pennsylvania, another woman backed by Emily's List, Shaughnessy Naughton, is running against DCCC-backed Kevin Strouse in a district near Philadelphia.

Ms. Reyes, a 58-year-old labor lawyer and first-time candidate who says she grew up picking onions in local farm fields, is trying to make a political virtue out of the fact that she isn't a career politician... Boris Medzhibovsky, a spokesman for Mr. Aguilar, who also supports abortion rights, said his candidate's campaign isn't just powered by political insiders. "Pete is building a people-powered, grass-roots campaign," Mr. Medzhibovsky said. The primary underscores how hard it can be for party leaders to clear the field for their anointed candidates—especially in today's anti-Washington climate.

More..

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303834304579524050107116372

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