February 12, 2008
Speier To Fill Lantos' Seat
Making her move at juuust the right time, Jackie Speier is a shoo-in to fill Tom Lantos' seat by April 8 if she gathers a majority of votes in a special, pre-primary election. But first, according to the Merc:
...Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger must issue a declaration today that would allow the 12th Congressional District race to appear on the June 3 ballot. If he waits until after today, San Mateo County would have to hold a separate, special election that could cost $500,000 or more... The governor's office said Schwarzenegger is aware of that limitation and state officials were working to complete the necessary paperwork.
Rep. Lantos, if you recall, died Monday morning, and endorsed State Sen. Jackie Speier as his successor. He represented most of the Sunset District in SF, and San Mateo County. Just like Lantos was, Speier is a fan of la Clinton.
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She's won the coveted Beth Spotswood endorsement.
As goes Spots, so goes the district.
So our charming remarks are not welcome in posts brought to you by the Toyota Corolla?
here's an old Speier button I have posted on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdewar/2261525234/
Wasn't she in Jonestown with Rep. Leo Ryan when he got shot? and killed?
I think she went with him to check it out due to the numerous complaints from people here.
She got wounded but escaped.
Or am I confusing her with someone else?
mariconsoy@4 - you are correct. She was shot 5 times but lived because she got medical help 22 hours later. (shudder!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Speier
Thx Sweet Melissa.
She has quite a history and a wealth of experience.
Since Hillary is tanking, maybe PREZ Speir someday?
Jackie had a great record of accomplishment in the state Assembly and the State Senate. It was unfortunate that so few people bothered to vote in the 2006 Democratic primary - she came close to beating John Garamendi in the Democratic primary....which would have been so awesome. But now we'll get her in Congress, where she can do more there than anyone can do as "lt. governor."
I had the pleasure of meeting with Jackie last week and was unbelievably impressed. She is ready to work hard in Washington representing California and Bay Area interests. I was especially taken by her willingness to stand up for prison reform (amongst other things.)
Check out this interview:
http://www.motherjones.com/news/qa/2005/07/jackie_speier.html
This is the same seat that Congressman Leo Ryan had when he was shot in Jonestown, and that Jackie ran for (and lost) after his death. Decades later, she has a real chance of winning the seat.
I would happily vote for her if I was in her district and will definitely donate my time and energy to getting her elected.