Skip to content
RollCall logo

California: EMILY’s List Backs Bass to Succeed Watson

By Emily Cadei
Posted February 24, 2010 at 6:42pm

California Speaker Karen Bass (D) has quickly cemented her place as the heir apparent of retiring Rep. Diane Watson (D).

Bass, who already has the backing of Watson, picked up endorsements from abortion rights group EMILY’s List and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

Also running in the Democratic primary are Felton Newell, a prosecutor in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office, and military veteran Mervin Evans.

Conservative activist David Crowley is the only Republican who has filed to run for the seat, but the GOP is not expected to mount much of a challenge in the heavily Democratic district.

Barack Obama won 87 percent of the presidential vote in 2008, compared with just 12 percent for Republican Sen. John McCain (Ariz.).

Recent Stories

Rep. Nancy Pelosi enjoyed a hideaway in the Capitol as speaker emerita, but that perk has been revoked, her office said.

House Republicans kick Pelosi out of hideaway after McCarthy ouster

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks to the media on the House steps of the Capitol after his motion to vacate the office of the speaker was adopted Tuesday.

House Republican infighting turns raw during McCarthy floor debate

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks through the Capitol after the House voted to remove him as speaker.

McCarthy announces he won’t run again for speaker

Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz talks with reporters Tuesday morning in the Capitol.

How the vote to boot Speaker McCarthy played out inside the chamber

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is seen in the Capitol after the House voted to remove him as speaker on Tuesday.

McCarthy becomes first speaker in history ousted

Laphonza Butler poses with Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer at the Capitol before her swearing-in on Tuesday.

Laphonza Butler sworn in to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein