I've been writing diaries about Lori Saldana, a grassroots progressive who is challenging republican incumbent Brian Bilbray in the newly-drawn California 52; you can learn more here
Lori was a three-term Assemblywoman from the 76th district who termed out in 2009. Her former district makes up a good portion of the new 52 - she won all three of her elections by double digits!
The great thing about this district is that it hardly resembles the old district. Gone are all of Bilbray's wealthy North County constituents; they have been replaced by more left-leaning, urban districts to the south. Here is a map showing the old CA-50 (now CA-52), the new CA-52, and Lori's former assembly district.
There are other challengers, but the big three are Bilbray, Lori and a centrist democrat named Scott Peters. (I've diaried about him too - there will be more....)
A televised debate with the three was held last Wednesday; I've put together some highlights below the fold....
So here's about ten minutes of some of Lori's best moments. You can see for yourself that not only are her positions truly progressive, but she's also tough and she looks pretty darn congressional.
Here's the whole debate, if you'd like to watch it (it's about an hour, but you can see for yourself who the true progressive is)
Feel free to check out Lori's webpage, www.lori4congress.com
Also, visit Lori’s Act Blue page, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee is fundraising for her and Elizabeth Warren together!
We don't need another independently wealthy conservadem in congress; we have a chance to add a strong progressive seat to our team.
She can win but she needs our help!!!!