According to the New York Times, Jerry Lewis will NOT retire, contrary to what Bob Novak had been speculating.
GOP Rep. Jerry Lewis of California announced Friday that he’ll seek a 16th term, putting to rest speculation that he would retire amid a federal lobbying probe.
….
His talent at securing federal dollars for his inland Southern California district brought him unwanted scrutiny last year when federal prosecutors in Los Angeles began probing his ties to lobbyist Bill Lowery, a former member of Congress whose clients included towns and businesses in Lewis’ district.
Lowery’s clients benefited from federal dollars approved by Lewis’ committee, and Lowery and his lobbying associates and clients donated generously to Lewis’ campaigns.
Lewis has denied any wrongdoing, no charges have been filed and there have been no recent public developments in the probe. However, Lewis hired criminal defense attorneys after news of the investigation broke in May 2006. He has paid them hundreds of thousands of dollars, including more than $30,000 in the second quarter of this year.
So… who’s challenging him?
Who is not setting the world on fire!
Regardless of the name of any Lewis challenger in this district…they don’t stand a chance. And I grew up in this area, live only 70 miles away and keep up with all the local seats.
Apologies to all who are stuck on the 435 seat strategy…but I’d rather see scarce financial and talent assets strategically deployed on seats that at least have a marginal chance of success.
If this campaign where used as a District Organization building exercise, and dedicated to that task for at least 4-5 cycles, then I think the funds, time and effort would be worthwhile.
But to begin to think/believe that a person without major funding, with no name identification, without professional staffing and without substantial local political experience can beat a seating Congressman of major stature….is silly.
Use the campaign to build the District and in time you can change the complexion of the District.
Do that well for the this cycle and next…and when Lewis does retire we Democrats will have a chance at the Open Seat Election.