California Secretary of State
California Secretary of State and Democratic candidate for the Congressional 36th District seat; former Democratic State Senator
PROFILE
Debra Bowen
Guest
FROM Debra Bowen
Which Way, L.A.?
Candidates Vie for Harman's 36th District Congressional Seat The 36th Congressional District runs from Venice to San Pedro. Veteran Democrat Jane Harman has resigned, and 16 candidates are on the ballot for the primary next Tuesday. If nobody wins a majority, the runoff will be on July 12, between the top two vote-getters, regardless of party. Given our time limits, we've chosen the four with the most name recognition and the most resources. They are California Secretary of State Debra Bowen , Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn , former candidate and high school teacher Marcy Winograd — all Democrats -- along with Republican Mike Gin , who is the Mayor of Redondo Beach.
Which Way, L.A.?
Another Politician Challenged by Another Business Executive California's Secretary of State is the chief elections officer, who also maintains the state archives and the filings that businesses are required to submit. The incumbent is Democrat Debra Bowen , who served 14 years in the Legislature before winning her first term. Her Republican challenger is Damon Dunn , who's never held public office. He attended Stanford on a football scholarship, played a few years of pro ball, and then went into the real estate business in Orange County. We hear them debate.
Which Way, L.A.?
Standing in Line to Cast a Ballot Record numbers of voters are turning out in California, just as they are in the rest of the country. In Los Angeles County, several polling places were able to open up even after power outages caused by early-morning rain. Barack Obama 's expected to win big here. He's expected to turn out record numbers of African American voters and, in his so-called "western strategy," is counting on the votes of Latinos. But there's uncertainty about Proposition 8 , about other ballot measures, and even about the Legislature and Congress. We talk with the top state and local election officials about what's happened so far, and them and others about what to expect from an electorate that's bigger, younger and more diverse than ever before.
Which Way, L.A.?
California's Next Secretary of State Florida and Ohio aren't the only states where the conduct of elections has been controversial. Democrat Kevin Shelly resigned as California's Secretary of State last year amid investigations into his own campaign fundraising and the way he was using federal money. Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Republican State Senator Bruce McPherson to take his place. Now McPherson's running for re-election and he's being challenged by Democratic State Senator Debra Bowen . They're both so well regarded that editorial writers say it's too bad one of them has to lose. It may all come down to confidence in electronic voting machines.
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