Hill progressives endorse in a California race tearing at Democrats

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Democrats’ quest for more winnable seats in the House of Representatives is shining a brighter light on Southern California, where internal tensions have put the party at risk of a lockout in November.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC named its candidate Tuesday and endorsed Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar in the 48th District. But Campa-Najjar’s critics, including liberal former Sen. Barbara Boxer, argue that she is blocking a more electable candidate.

As the party splits between him and the primary enemy Marni von WilpertAllies of Campa-Najjar, a San Diego city councilwoman, worry that two Republicans could win the general election in a district narrowly carried by Kamala Harris.

The Democratic Party’s ongoing struggle over how sharply to distance itself from the unpopular Israeli government is also a factor in the race. Progressives who support Campa-Najjar say spending by pro-Israel groups on von Wilpert’s behalf has backfired.

“If elected, Ammar will be the only Congressman living in Gaza, where 30 members of his family, including children, died,” Progressive Caucus PAC co-chairs Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Greg Casar of Texas and Maxwell Frost of Florida told Semafor. “Ammar is the only candidate in this race who is campaigning with a progressive agenda.”

Their approval follows significant spending in the region by the Democratic Majority on behalf of Israel on von Wilpert’s behalf. The pro-Israel group opposed Campa-Najjar’s stances on the Gaza conflict, but also worried she could undermine the election for Democrats. shift To the center in 2020.

The Progressive Caucus’ support disturbed Boxer, who supported von Wilpert. He claimed that Campa-Najjar owned the Semaphore. benefited from His family is D-Calif. From his long-standing romantic relationship with his agent Sara Jacobs funded A super PAC is helping him.

“Let me tell you, the only way this can happen is if his close friend, who is a congressman, makes it happen,” Boxer said. “He was in complete disagreement on the major issues they claim to care about: a woman’s right to choose, decent gun rights, and Medicare for All. I was the Number One liberal in the Senate. I know a fake when I see one.”

Campa-Najjar region of California redrawn to include parts of Palm Springs in northern San Diego County; As a result, it may be harder for Republicans to win. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., retired after voters approved new district boundaries.

“As the son of a Palestinian immigrant and a working-class Latina mother, I know what it’s like to have to choose between a gallon of milk and a gallon of gasoline,” Campa-Najjar told Semafor on Monday before traveling to an Islamic center in California. targeted by a mass shooter to show his support for the victims. “I am a proud progressive.”

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The race in San Diego County discouraged other Democrats who thought Issa would be easier to beat than a new GOP candidate but weren’t always sure what to think of Campar-Najjar.

Democrat for the first time in 2018 drew Even after the incumbent was indicted, he attracted a lot of media attention despite holding a conservative seat that his party could not win. In 2020 Campa-Najjar ran again and softened His views on some progressive issues like Medicare for All.

In this campaign, the first to run in a district chosen to elect a Democrat, Campa-Najjar returned to running as a progressive. most sure Place a bet on whether you will vote in the second round and win.

But on Thursday, SurveyUSA announced: voting found that the risk of lockout increased. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond led with 29%, followed by GOP businessman Kevin O’Neil with 10%, and Campa-Najjar and van Wilpert each supported 9% of voters.

This represented a 3-point decrease for Campa-Najjar and a 3-point increase for von Wilpert. Some California political strategists I suspected accuracy of the survey; The votes for Von Wilpert were stronger and he received more votes Support From Democratic Party activists at local meetings.

Von Wilpert’s allies say the Progressive Caucus’ approval misinterprets the district’s wishes. When the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund endorsed him in March cited There was “a growing consensus” among his allies that he was the strongest candidate.

“It’s clear that Marni von Wilpert is the strongest candidate to change this race and the only person Californians can trust to oppose Trump,” said Jacob Ostacher, von Wilpert’s campaign manager.

Dispute Room

Republicans don’t pay much attention to internal divisions among their opponents because they think whoever wins has a good chance of winning in November.

“Whether it is socialist Ammar Campa-Najjar or progressive Marni von Wilpert, California Democrats are in full meltdown mode in CA-48,” said NRCC spokesman Christian Martinez.

“The two are locked in a nasty race on the far left,” he added, “clawing at each other as voters take a front row seat to the chaos, excess, and dysfunction consuming today’s Democratic Party that is driving up the cost of living, making communities less safe, and driving hard-working Californians to pack up and leave the state.”

David’s opinion

Campa-Najjar’s ongoing struggle to win elections (she also narrowly lost the 2022 mayoral race in Chula Vista) has earned her Democratic allies who could imagine her being influential. Republicans’ negative campaign to defeat him in 2018 infamous Among Muslim Democratic donors for citing his grandfather’s radical past and suggesting he was trying to “infiltrate” Congress as a potential terrorist.

However, Von Wilpert was more successful this year. winning on local Democratic activists, especially in new districts that had never seen Campa-Najjar on the ballot. His fundraising has dropped quarter after quarter as he campaigns, and his allies directly deny interference from progressives.

It’s fights like these from Democrats that have House Republicans suddenly feeling optimistic about their chances of holding on in November.

Important

• Politico’s Ben Fox reported Democrats’ anxiety about winning the new seat is coming from the ground. “California’s 48th is one of two tough elections for Democrats in a state they normally dominate.”

• Cook Political Report affected District leans toward Democrats After Issa retires, though, it will be important who wins the primary.

• Semaphore’s Nicholas Wu previously covered the fight among top Democrats.