 In another primary battle involving a seven-term incumbent, Bob Filner is facing a challenge from two Latino Congressional hopefuls. Juan Vargas currently represents the 79th AD and is termed out this year. Thus, this is another term limits inspired fight. Danny Ramirez is a perennial candidate in this race, and shouldn't be much of a factor this year with a serious Latino candidate in the race.
Filner has been one of the more liberal voices in Congress. On immigration he received an "F-" from the Americans for Better Immigration (that's a good thing). He received an "A" From the NAACP, 95% by the League of Conservation Voters, 100% by NARAL, and a 100 from the HRC.
Hispanics, many of them recent arrivals to California, make up just more than half of the 51st District’s population. So while many Americans favor building a tall wall to slow the influx of illegal immigrants, not many of them live in the California district that would be most affected.
The demographics of the 51st District are, however, at the very heart of the primary challenge to Filner. Primary voters are being asked — and not for the first time — whether Filner’s good relations with his Hispanic constituency and strongly liberal voting record justifies his re-election, or if the fact that Filner is a non-Hispanic white makes him an impediment to Latino empowerment. (CQ Politics 6/1/06)
Vargas has run against Filner for this seat before. In 1992, when Filner first won, Vargas was a San Diego City Councilman, but lost his Congressional bid. So now Vargas is attempting to see if the gains in Hispanic voters in the district will be sufficient to win the seat. Filner is managing to get most of the endorsements from Latino organizations, and the split in any identity voters caused by Ramirez’s presence on the ballot should propel Filner to a comfortable victory. However, Vargas has run a decent campaign and he has a history in the district. |
