California's new 'jungle' primary could be tough for GOP candidates

I am quoted in this story on FoxNews.com

Residents voted in favor of the jungle primary in a 2010 referendum known as Proposition 14.

It was intended to get more moderate candidates elected to foster compromise and “to end  nasty, partisan wrangling and gridlock in Sacramento and Washington,” said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

“But whether California's jungle primary will achieve its stated purpose remains to be seen,” she said. “In particular, it is difficult to predict because of the recent redistricting process.”
Levinson says her “strong guess” is more moderate candidates will emerge as winners, but as a result of the new district lines and a shift in demographics “I think we are likely to see more Democratic lawmakers.”

 

California's 'Jungle Primary'

I'll be in "Which Way, L.A.?" talking about the following... 

The June 5 election will be like nothing California has seen before, with some office holders hiding their party affiliation — and even their incumbency. Republicans have given up some legislative and Congressional races altogether, and the general election will feature run-offs between candidates of the same party. A lawyer deemed "unqualified" by the County Bar has challenged a highly regarded judge with a foreign-sounding name. It's all pretty weird.

"New ballot to greet voters in state's June primary"

I am quoted in this article in the SF Chronicle by Wyatt Buchanan regarding open primaries.

Another likely impact is more hotly contested general elections, said Jessica Levinson, a visiting associate clinical professor at Loyola Law School who is involved in political reform work. That's because districts with high numbers of people registered to one party could see two candidates from that party duke it out in November.

"Whereas before it was clearly going to be the Republican or Democrat who walks to victory after the primary, now I think ... there will be a real dogfight in the general," she said.

"Prop 14 Could Change How San Fernando Valley Congressional Race Plays Out"

Many us who watched the state's independent redistricting commission drawing congressional lines collectively sighed when we saw the newly drawn lines in the San Fernando Valley. Because of the way the lines were drawn two incumbent Congressman, both Jewish Democrats with similar voting records that are determined to win, will face off in elections this year.

Representatives Howard Berman and Brad Sherman and running for the same congressional seat. The two prodigious fundraisers have wasted no time. Reports that came out this week show that Berman has raised a total of $2.9 million and Sherman has raised $3.7 million.

The Berman-Sherman matchup is expected to be one of the most expensive Congressional races this year. The fundraising reports support this conclusion. But savvy voters must ask themselves an important question: will such a matchup ever occur?

Finish reading the article on KCET.org.

"How Did a Conservative Finish as One of Top-Two Vote-Getters in the Liberal 36th Congressional District?"

Jessica Levinson's latest article on KCET.org is here. 


Here is an excerpt:


File this under, "I was wrong." In a true political upset, conservative Republican Craig Huey and Democratic Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn bested 14 other candidates in the special election to fill former Rep. Jane Harman's congressional seat. Hahn, daughter of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, and sister of former Los Angeles Mayor, James Hahn, was widely expected to be among the top-two finishers. Huey was not.

"Did the State GOP Create a Workaround to the New Open Primary Election System?"

Jessica Levinson's weekly blog on KCET.org is here.

"Winners avoid runoffs in two special elections for California Senate"

"Republican Sharon Runner of Lancaster and Democrat Ted Lieu of Torrance handily won two widely watched special elections Tuesday, avoiding the need for April 19 runoffs.

The elections were the first to be held under the state's new balloting system, in which voters choose among all candidates in a primary and the top two vote-getters, not the top finisher from each party as previously, compete in a runoff. Because these were special primaries and both candidates won majorities, there will be no runoffs."
The LAT has more here.

Idaho to Close their Primary Elections?

Republican legislators in Idaho have prepared a measure to close primary elections to Democratic voters. Insteat Republican and independent voters will be allowed to vote in Republican primaries. A federal judge will rule on the constitutionality of that measure. Currently in Idaho, regardless of party affiliation voters can choose any party's ballot. For more click here.