Min and Porter – only picture I could find – from the bad old days of 2018.
Vern here. Bad news this morning for Harley Rouda, who’d already announced to run for Katie Porter‘s Congressional seat; good news for State Senator Josh Newman, who’d been planning one way or another to run for the 29th State Senator seat even if it meant he was going against fellow Democrat Senator Dave Min.
Because Dave has just announced that he is going for Katie’s seat, and in the same release has announced her support. We’ve come a long way since the fights of the 2018 primary when these two and their supporters were at each other’s throats! Something feels long planned out about all this, but Harley’s chances in the race just took a nosedive (I hate to say, as a Harley fan.)
Here’s Dave…
Dave Min Announces Campaign for Congress in CA-47
with Katie Porter’s Endorsement
Min represents over 80% of the Congressional District in the California State Senate and has authored critical legislation on gun safety, environmental protections, reproductive freedom, and small business relief.
IRVINE, CA — Today, California State Senator Dave Min (SD-37) announced he is running for Congress in Congressional District 47, which falls almost entirely within the boundaries of the district Min was elected to represent in Sacramento. Min’s announcement came with the strong endorsement of current Congresswoman Katie Porter, who announced last week that she is vacating the seat to run for U.S. Senate.
“I endorse my friend Dave Min in his campaign for Congress and have every confidence that his campaign will ensure that California’s 47th Congressional District continues to be represented by a progressive Democrat,” said Congresswoman Katie Porter. “I know how much Dave cares about our country and Orange County. During the financial crisis, Dave fought to hold Wall Street accountable and to help stabilize our economy.
“I’ve been impressed with his record in the California State Senate, where he has been a progressive leader on issues like gun violence prevention, reproductive rights, and environmental protection. He ended gun shows on California state property, has fought to end offshore oil drilling, passed critical protections for domestic violence survivors, and delivered billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds to small businesses.
“State Senator Dave Min will be a fantastic member of Congress, and I trust him to keep this critical swing seat Blue as we work to take back the House of Representatives in 2024. Dave has proven that he can win in this area while delivering on a progressive agenda with real results.”
Elected in 2020, Min, a former business law professor at UC Irvine, unseated longtime Orange County Republican stalwart John Moorlach to represent the more than 1.1 million residents of California’s 37th Senate District. SD-37 includes more than 80% of the 47th Congressional District Min is running to represent, including the cities of Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach. Min won this area by more than 4% in 2020, showing he can win this highly contested Congressional District. California’s 47th District has a robust Korean community, and one of the highest percentages of Asian and Pacific Islander voters in the country at 19%.
“I am honored and grateful to be endorsed by my friend Katie Porter,” said State Senator Min. “During a time when so many of our basic American values have come under attack, Katie has been fearless in advocating for the rights and economic well-being of working families. Congresswoman Porter leaves behind an incredible legacy in the House of Representatives, one I hope to try to continue.
“I began my career holding Wall Street accountable during the financial crisis and protecting families from foreclosure. In the State Senate, I have fought for bold and aggressive legislation to improve the lives of the constituents I represent, challenging politics as usual. I’m proud of the record I’ve built on the environment, gun violence prevention, women’s reproductive rights, the economy, and fighting hate, and I look forward to making the case to voters why they should elect me to the House of Representatives.”
Senator Min, the only Korean-American in the state legislature, has proven himself an incredibly effective legislative leader in the Senate, authoring 16 bills signed into law by the Governor, including leading legislation on hate crime prevention, gun violence prevention, family safety, and women’s reproductive rights. In the wake of the 2021 Huntington Beach Oil Spill, he stood up to the oil industry and led efforts to end offshore drilling. Min serves as Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and as Senate Vice Chair of the Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. He previously chaired the Senate Cybersecurity Select Committee.
Before entering the State Senate, Min was a law professor at UC Irvine, where he taught and researched in the area of business law. He resides with his wife Jane, a UC Irvine law professor who specializes in domestic violence and family law, and their three children in Irvine.
Dave in Anaheim Hills with Wes Jones & Hari Lal, at 10/13/22 Lal fundraiser.
LOL, The Moorlach chimes in with “Musical Chairs” (since none of the rest of y’all are commenting)….
With U.S. Representative Katie Porter’s announcement to succeed U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in 2024, the game of opportunists has begun. The Voice of OC provides the latest announcement and the status of the 37th Senate District and the 47th Congressional District 2024 election cycle drama in their piece below.
California State Senator David Min unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2018, revealing what he wanted to do all along. To bide time and build a track record, he ran against me in 2020. With the help of $6.4 million in political action committee contributions, he prevailed, barely (see MOORLACH UPDATE — Happy New Year! — December 27, 2022).
He has not accomplished much in the State Senate. He has not necessarily been a favorite of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Key leaders have wondered out loud in bewilderment, “We campaigned against Moorlach for this?”
It will be interesting to see where the money flows. To former Congressman Harley Rouda or to Senator David Min? I can only assume that the public employee unions are not amused after investing the bulk of that $6.4 million for Min in 2020.
But at least the unions will not have to decide between Sen. Josh Newman or Min, as both are now residing in the 37th Senate District due to redistricting. And maybe Min’s not rerunning for his Senate seat and grasping again for a Congressional seat reveals the potential answer.
The big question will be whether other Republicans will announce for the 47th CD. This seems to be the pattern of late and why the Republican Party is slowly losing key seats. It will only take a couple of big egos who have an overinflated view of themselves, won’t listen to the polling or Party leadership, and split the vote. Then it could very well be Rouda and Min in the 2024 November General Election. Argh!
John should run. He’s lost almost every other seat possible. He’s worked his way to the bottom – back to the top!