Politics & Government

Date Set for Special Election to Fill Harman's Seat

Gov. Jerry Brown calls a special election to replace former Rep. Jane Harman. The primary will be May 17; July 12 is the special election.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday issued a proclamation setting a July 12 special election to replace Democratic Rep. Jane Harman in the 36th Congressional District.

Harman to lead the Washington, D.C.-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Monday was the governor's deadline to schedule the election.

The congressional election will be held under the state's new "top two" primary system. All candidates—regardless of party—will run in a primary to be held May 17.

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If no candidate earns more than 50 percent of the vote, then the top two finishers in the primary will face each other in the July 12 election, regardless of their party affiliations.

The district has a majority of Democratic voters and pundits believe it's likely that a run-off election will be held between two Democratic candidates.

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Secretary of State Debra Bowen, who tweeted about the special election Monday, has announced that she plans to run in the election. Other Democratic candidates include Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, , and activist Marcy Winograd. 

Republican candidates include Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin, Redondo Beach City Attorney Mike Webb and .

At least one minor party candidate, Michael Chamness, of Venice, said he plans to run for the seat as a member of the so-called "Coffee Party" and claiming that he will be at a disadvantage because he will not be able to list his party affiliation on the ballot.

Under new election rules, Chamness will have to identify himself as having "no party preference" because his minor party is not recognized by the state.

All candidates who want to appear on the ballot have a March 25 deadline to file candidacy documents and filing fees, or signatures in lieu of fees.

The 36th Congressional District includes Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marina del Rely, Mar Vista, Venice, and neighboring South Bay cities.


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