CA-36 congressional seat

[silverweb]

Congresswoman Jane Harman will be leaving the U.S. House of Representatives after serving for 16 years.

Now the former California Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, is considering a run for that seat and she's asking for feedback before announcing her decision.

Here's the email her exploratory committee has sent out, asking for feedback:

As you may already know, Congresswoman Jane Harman recently announced that she is leaving the U.S. House of Representatives after serving the 36th District for 16 years.

I know the 36th Congressional District well: It includes my home, as well as most of the people I represented during my time in the California State Legislature. So I'm very seriously weighing whether I should run for Congress.

It's a big decision. I'm thinking carefully about it, talking it over with my family, friends, and supporters, and I certainly want to know what longtime friends and supporters like you think, too.

Click here if you think I should run for Congress! Should I run for Congress?

I've been truly moved by the strong outpouring of support from everyone who has encouraged me to run for Congress this week. I can't thank you enough for your support.

I'm currently weighing all the factors involved in this important decision,the most critical of which is where I can be most effective in moving California forward.

I'm so proud of the work I've done as Secretary of State. We've made great strides over the past four years in making our voting systems as secure, accurate, reliable, and accessible as possible, while facilitating job creation by speeding online processing of documents related to starting and managing California businesses.

But we face crucial challenges at the national level as well, the first and foremost of which is working to create jobs and jump-start our struggling economy.

That's why I want to hear from you.

If you want me to run for Congress, please click here to show your support - and share your comments with me as well! Should I run for Congress?

The decision about whether to run for Congress is not an easy one. If I decide to run for Congress and am elected, I would no longer be California's Secretary of State.

That's why I want to know what you think before I make a final decision: Should I run for Congress?

Thank you again for your support. I wouldn't be in the position to make this decision without you.

Sincerely,



Debra Bowen

P.S. Once you've let me know what you think, please forward this email to your friends so that they can weigh in, too! Should I run for Congress?

Paid for by Bowen Congressional Exploratory Committee

[tularetom]

1. Best Secretary of State we ever had

I'd hate to lose her and wind up with some hack in the job who would just let the republican voting machine makers run things like they used to. From a purely selfish standpoint I'd like to see her stay.

On the other hand, she's termed out. She'd only be on the job through 2014 at the longest.

So I guess, on the assumption that she could be replaced with an honest individual, I'd say go for it.

[silverweb]

2. I understand the dilemma.

I'm not in the 36th district to begin with and couldn't vote for her, anyway.

I also don't know if the governor gets to appoint someone to finish her SoS term or if there would be a special election to replace her. If Brown can appoint her replacement to finish her term, I'd trust his judgment and feel that we're secure until 2014.

[cascadiance]

3. Her email just noted that Brown would appoint her replacement...

Her announcement contained this paragraph...

As I carefully weighed this important decision, I ultimately decided that the opportunity to fight for job creation and a more transparent, responsive, and accessible federal government is just too important to pass up. What’s more, knowing that Governor Jerry Brown would appoint my replacement if I am elected to Congress -- giving me significant input into that process -- gives me confidence that the Secretary of State’s office will be left in good hands

I guess I'm still a little torn. I really would like to see people that are currently out of the political process who have good progressive viewpoints like Marcy Winograd be given a chance to get in to the process. Thought this election would still be Ms. Winograd's best shot to get started. And I still would like to think that Debra would be the best replacement we could have for DiFi in her Senate seat should she retire and not run for her seat.

If Ms. Bowen doesn't run for Senator if and when DiFi steps down, who would be good for that position?

It's kind of like how I felt up here in Oregon when some people were telling Pete DeFazio to run for governor. I'm glad he didn't, because I still think he's one of the best progressives in the House, and needs to keep his voice there. Kitzhaber will do fine as our governor now, and hopefully as a former medical professional will help us get single payer passed, much like I hope that California gets that passed now with Brown in at governor too!

[silverweb]

4. It's a huge decision for her.

I'm sure she's been listening to input from lots of the heavy-hitters in the party as well as people who would be her constituents.