We've got another OPEN House race today - CA-24

[lwin]

This race just got HOT today. The 20 year incumbent, Elton Gallegly, announced today that he would not run for re-election.

http://www.venturacountystar.com/

We have an incredible Democratic candidate running in this district - Jill Martinez.

www.jillmartinez2006.com

[cindyw]

1. His Dem opponent from 2004 came to my house today for signatures.

Kind of surprised me. Actually I think I surprised him because he didn't have to ask me anything, I just said I know who you are and whatever you are running for is fine with me.

[lwin]

2. His 2004 opponent?

He dropped out of the race and is supposed to be running a recall campaign for a Supervisor in Santa Barbara. Is that what you signed?

[cindyw]

3. No recall, it was for a seat on some Dem party board.

Do you have a link for a recall going on? I saw nothing like that on the petition.

[lwin]

4. Ohh..

No, I don't have a link. I'm sure there will be something in the paper soon.

[KingFlorez]

5. Thank You God!

I am so glad he is leaving, because I think we have a shot at this seat now. This is my district so you can imagine how excited I am.

Edit to say, there is no other Republican running and today was the filing deadline, so we could actually win this one, because Gallegly screwed up by pulling out too late.

[LibDemAlways]

6. Doing a happy dance here!! Best news I've heard all day.

This is overall a very repuke district. Getting a Dem in there would be such a relief. Gallegly was so terrible there was once a thread here on DU detailing how his aides threw Dems out of his field office. He wouldn't have dropped out unless his health issue was serious. I wish him well in dealing with it, but I sure am glad my tax dollars will no longer be paying him to kiss the chimp's butt.

[Lexingtonian]

7. Gallegly is a first rate scumbag

or so I hear. It's not an easy district for a Democrat- it's mostly Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, with Lompoc/Buellton and all the military stationed and retired around Vandenberg AFB.

It could be a very bad year indeed for the Republicans in the California House delegation. Something like 10 (of the 20) were said to be considering retirement a few weeks ago. Gallegly is the fourth of their Old Guard to go this year, preceded by Bill Thomas, Duke Cunningham, and Chris Cox.