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California Congressional District races

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23rd Congressional District… Kevin McCarthy (R) vs. Wendy Reed (D)

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Tea Party Republican and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is the incumbent, running against Democrat Wendy Reed. According to public records, McCarthy has already spent $7 million to keep the seat, compared to Reed’s $28,000. He has held the spot since 2006.

McCarthy is a conservative, and as with many Republicans, he is anti-gun control. Contributions to his campaign reflect that. His two biggest contributors include the Tea Party Express (SuperPAC) and the National Rifle Association (NRA).

He tends to vote with his fellow Republicans on issues that arise.

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Reed is a newcomer to politics. Her platform includes the theme: economy and environment must go hand in hand… “It’s not an economy if you can’t drink the water,” she says.

She also says it’s important to have essential resources for the district, including good hospitals and health care. In addition, Reed believes ethics in government is crucial, as well as equality in education.

McCarthy is expected to retain his seat.

The 23rd District is located in the south central part of the state and covers parts of Los Angeles, Kern and Tulare counties.

25th Congressional District… Steve Knight (R) vs. Bryan Caforio (D)

This is a hotly contested race. In fact, the Cook Political Report calls it a “toss-up.”

Even the spending has been at an even keel, with Caforio, the challenger, spending $444,613 to incumbent Knight’s $411,708. While several unions are putting their support behind Caforio, it’s the NRA and National Republican Congressional Committee financially supporting Knight.

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Knight took his seat in 2014. He is a former member of the California State Senate. He is a reserve officer with the LAPD.

His platform is based on issues of the economy—he believes in tax incentives for the private sector to stimulate the economy. As to immigration, he wants to work to secure our borders to keep illegal immigrants out.

Caforio’s platform believes in increasing minimum wages. He also touts stopping handouts and tax breaks for big banks and corporations, and thinks it’s important to defend Medicare and Social Security.

The 25th District includes a parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

37th Congressional District… Karen Bass (D) vs. Chris Blake Wiggins (R)

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Democrat Karen Bass is expected to hold her seat, which is being challenged by Chris Wiggins, a Republican.

Bass has held the spot since 2010. She began her career in the California State Assembly, where she served since 2005 and by 2008 was the Majority Floor Leader. She’s being called an “average member of Congress,” meaning she tends to vote with the Democratic Party on issues that come before the legislative body. She has served on the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees. According to her record, she is big on favoring legislation that gives women the right to choose abortion; she is comfortable with same sex marriage; and believes that stricter punishments reduce crime. Bass also believes in a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.

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Wiggins’ platform seeks more funding for education… he believes kids should have choices beyond the public school system via charter and magnet schools. He also wants to curtail the “buying of elections,” and limit campaign spending. Wiggins says he also believes in the preservation of the environment and does not support the Keystone Pipeline.

As to spending, Wiggins has spent nothing, while Bass has spent $510,788, according to public records.

The 37th District includes part of Los Angeles County.

43rd Congressional District… Maxine Waters (D) vs. Omar Navarro (R)

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Democrat Maxine Waters has a stronghold on this district and is expected to handily beat her Republican challenger, Omar Navarro.

Waters has spent $528,999 to Navarro’s $2,652 for the district, which includes part of Los Angeles County.

Waters has held a seat in the House since 1990. She tends to vote with the Democratic Party on most bills. Waters serves on the Financial Services Committee and also served on the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing.

Her records show that she favors a woman’s right to choose; she is comfortable with same sex marriage; she believes stricter punishments reduce crime; and she opposes the privatization of social security.

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Navarro is a small business owner but has also held positions with Sony, Samsung and Amazon. His platform states that he believes that small businesses are the “engine that drives our economy,” and that the House should do more to encourage small business. He says he is against ObamaCare and would work to repeal it. Navarro says he is against gun control and at the same time, he says we should be free from “unreasonable and warrantless searches,” or “no one’s gun’s are safe.”

44th Congressional District… Isadore Hall vs. Nanette Barragan

The 44th District race is an unusual one, as two Democrats face each other for the seat instead of two different political parties. Incumbent Isadore Hall and Nanette Barragan are battling to be the rep for the district, which includes the southern part of the state and part of Los Angeles (including the Port of Los Angeles, Compton and North Long Beach).

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Hall has the endorsement of the California Democratic Party, as well as the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor (AFL/CIO), Gov. Jerry Brown and the Service Employees International Union. His background includes serving as a member of the California State Senate. Hall is also a member of the Compton City Council.

Hall’s platform includes statements that say he will work on bringing high-paying jobs to the district. He also believes in protecting the environment and he wants to ensure the continued success of the Port of Los Angeles, both as an attraction and a place to do business.

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Hall’s opponent is Nanette Barragan. She believes it’s important to protect senior citizens and the social programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, that provide for them. Barragan also believes we need to make college more affordable for everyone. She understands that climate change is an urgent environmental problem and that people need to move toward clean, sustainable energy.

As to the economy and jobs, the former Hermosa Beach City Council member says it’s important to strengthen the middle class by creating job training programs, supporting small businesses and investing in growing technologies.

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While incumbent Janice Hahn has endorsed Hall for her seat, Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed Barragan.

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