District of powerful House Democrat realigned to include Pepperdine. Several races in both houses remain close
By Peter Celauro
Staff Writer
Pepperdine and the surrounding community of Malibu will find a new name on their congressional election ballots this November. After new lines were drawn for the Los Angeles area’s congressional districts following the 2000 census, Democrat Henry Waxman will be the incumbent candidate for this area’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
And experts say he’s a shoo-in.
Waxman’s name is certainly not new to the political world. Representing California for almost 30 years, the congressman has been in the headlines recently for his efforts to get to the bottom of the Enron energy situation. Since 1979, Waxman has been involved in health and environmental issues ranging from the Clean Air Act of 1990 to improved quality of nursing homes to tougher regulations against tobacco companies. He has been the Representative of the 29th Congressional District since 1974.
For now, however, his attention is focused on Nov. 5. The coming election will be the first time Malibu voters will have Waxman as a choice on the ballot.
The change is a result of redistricting.
“Every 10 years, the 50 states re-draw congressional districts based on new information from the decennial Census,” according to an election guide on CNN.com. This is important partly because “most states keep the same number of districts while some states gain seats and others lose a seat due to declining population,” according to the site. California gained a seat in the latest redistricting.
Perhaps more important to Malibu voters, however, is the fact that the community is no longer a part of the 24th Congressional District. The 24th District, which is represented by Brad Sherman, previously including areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties including Agoura, Woodland Hills, parts of Hollywood and Malibu. Now, after redistricting, Malibu and Pepperdine fall into the 30th Congressional District.
Waxman’s competition for the 30th district comes from Tony Goss, a Republican from Los Angeles. The 36-year-old writer is a former bartender and, according to Social Science Division Chairman Dr. Chris Soper, probably not going to be elected.
“The opposing candidate (to Waxman) is really fairly irrelevant because this is a very safe democratic seat,” Soper said. “This is a very democratic district, and Waxman is extremely popular.”
Because it’s not a close, competitive election, Soper says the 30th district’s election will probably not even make the news on Nov. 5. That’s not to say that this particular date isn’t important.
“The nationwide elections themselves are important because both the House of Representatives and the Senate are up for grabs,” Soper said. “A swing of one seat would give Republicans control of the Senate.
“The Republicans currently control the House by a small number of seats,” Soper added. “With a swing of a small number of seats in the House, Democrats would regain control.”
More competitive elections that could make that happen are occurring all throughout the United States.
One such close race is that of the 2nd District of New Mexico between a state senator and an ex-state representative. Others include that of the 3rd District of Ohio between one of President George W. Bush’s appointed ambassadors to the United Nations and a former Ohio mayor, and that of the 2nd District of Minnesota between an incumbent and a retired Marine who has lost two races before. There are eight to 10 close races that are “too close to call at this point,” according to Soper.
One of the most competitive races in California is in the 18th District. The seat for that district is open after Gary Condit’s defeat in the primaries.
“Condit became vulnerable due to the scandal surrounding the disappearance and death of Chandra Levy and the status of his relationship with the ex-Washington intern,” according to CNN.com.
The race for the 18th district will be between democrat Dennis Cardoza, a former Condit staffer, and State Senator Dick Monteith, a Republican.
October 31, 2002