WASHINGTON — Tuesday will see two of America’s most progressive cities take the right turn as California and six other states hold primary election.
The sixth round of primary elections this year will not feature any major Senate or gubernatorial races. However, primaries will decide who might end up representing millions in California, Iowa and Montana, New Jersey. New Mexico.
Los Angeles’ long-standing frustrations with crime and homelessness have made an ex Republican billionaire the likely front-runner for the role of mayor in the Democratic-dominated megacity.
Rick Caruso is a prominent real estate developer and joined the Democratic Party recently. He received an endorsement from Elon Musk CEO, which was a rare endorsement.
Although the money is a great help, Caruso has capitalized on growing resentment over the city’s state and the perception of its Democratic leaders being unable to make any changes.
Housing is becoming more expensive and homelessness is on the rise. In a city known for its long commutes, crime is on the rise, traffic is worse and gas prices are rising.
According to March census data, Los Angeles County was a place that has been home to many Americans for decades, and it saw the most people flee during the first year.
Caruso, who has been promoted on TV as “cleaning up LA” and “a doer…not just talker,” has presented himself as an outsider without any ideological views and willing to do whatever the city requires, even if it angers unions or activists. For example, his plan to hire 1,500 police officers has drawn rebukes from candidates who were more concerned with civil rights issues at the LAPD.
Bass and her aides, however, have made a comparison between Caruso and another party-changing billionaire realty developer — ex-President Donald Trump — and highlighted Caruso’s past donations to GOP candidates such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and to anti–abortion causes.
The narrator of an advertisement from a proBass superPAC says that Caruso is a fraud and calls him “a lifelong Republican”.
LA’s most recent mayoral elections were relatively quiet affairs. Only around 1 in 5 registered voters turned out to vote. Analysts believe that this year could be different. The term-limited Mayor Eric Garcetti is leaving office with low approval ratings, and polls showing growing concern about the direction the city’s future.
However, the contest will likely continue into fall as none of the candidates are expected exceed the threshold of 50 percent to avoid a runoff. This is due to occur in conjunction with the general election in November.
Similar stories are being told in San Francisco, another city known for its progressiveness that has been struggling with familiar urban plights. It saw a larger recent exodus per capita than LA. The main problem is crime, and polls indicate that voters will recall their district attorney Tuesday to end the reign of the reformist.
When Chesa Boudin was elected as San Francisco’s top prosecutor, he made national headlines. Boudin was born to Weather Underground members and spent most of his childhood in prison. However, he went to Yale where he received a Rhodes Scholarship. Years later, Boudin joined a wave reformist DA candidates who embraced Black Lives Matter, and demanded a new approach to policing.
However, three years later, many San Franciscans are frustrated by the perception of impunity in low-level crimes such as shoplifting. Violent crime is on the rise. Mayor London Breed announced a crackdown on December to “reign of criminals” who were “destroying our city.”
Boudin’s leadership, once run by Kamala Harris, has seen a significant exodus from the DA’s Office. Some even joined the recall effort against their former boss.
The attention paid to Tuesday’s other primaries has been less.
Iowa Democrats will nominate Abby Finkenauer, a former Representative, to challenge Chuck Grassley, long-time Republican Senator. However, Finkenauer is considered a strong candidate. But, Iowa has trended red, and Democrats may just be lucky to keep their one congressional seat.
In the meantime, Montana gained a second congressional seat through the latest round redistricting. Ryan Zinke, former Interior Secretary under President Trump, is expected win the GOP nomination in the Republican-leaning District.
Trump called his supporters in New Jersey to expel Republican Rep. Chris Smith. Smith was the longest-serving member of Congress. He broke party ranks to vote to support Biden’s infrastructure plan. But Trump never followed up on Smith’s call and never endorsed any of Smith’s GOP opponents. Smith is still backed by his party’s congressional leaders, and is considered a favorite.
Many of the state’s congressional district are expected to be competitive in fall with crowded Republican fields to win back seats previously won by Democrats such as Reps. Andy Kim or Mikie Sherrill.
The only open seat in the state’s congressional district, which represents a deep-blue area around Jersey City and is currently vacant, has seen the entire Democratic establishment back Robert Menendez Jr., the son from Sen. Robert Menendez. However, he will be facing two Democrats.
Republicans in New Mexico will choose from a wide field of candidates to challenge Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is vulnerable in November.
