[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

The endorsement yesterday by popular Marin and Sonoma County Member of Congress Lynn Woolsey of San Francisco Assemblymember Mark Leno for the Third Senate seat speaks volumes of where the race now stands and what it means. In fact, it may be the deciding factor in this three way primary contest.

In giving Leno her support, Woolsey, an eight term Congressmember, cited Leno’s commitment to issues that matter most in the North Bay part of the district: "Mark Leno has built a strong record on behalf of the issues the people of my district care deeply about. I am proud to announce my support for him today. We can count on Mark to go to Sacramento and provide progressive leadership on the issues we all care about—a cleaner and more sustainable environment, universal, single-payer health care, better schools and access to affordable higher education."

In the 3rd Senate District Democratic primary, Leno faces incumbent Carole Migden and former Assemblyman Joe Nation. The district includes all of Marin County, southern Sonoma County, and the eastern portion of San Francisco. In the June primary a plurality rules. This is the election. The results will determine who holds this seat for at least the next four years as this is a heavily Democratic district.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

In the tight race for Senate District 3, Assemblymember Mark Leno scored a major endorsement today: Marin Congresswoman and progressive's progressive Lynn Woolsey.

"Mark Leno has built a strong record on behalf of the issues the people of my district care deeply about. I am proud to announce my support for him today," said Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey. "We can count on Mark to go to Sacramento and provide progressive leadership on the issues we all care about—a cleaner and more sustainable environment, universal, single-payer health care, better schools and access to affordable higher education."

"Congresswoman Woolsey's unwavering, progressive principles and steadfast leadership in Congress have proven invaluable to the families of Marin and Sonoma Counties," declared Assemblyman Mark Leno. "I am deeply honored by the faith and trust Congresswoman Woolsey has in me to represent the progressive democratic values of the North Bay in the State Senate. I look forward to partnering with her and working together on the challenging issues we face."

Woolsey's endorsement is a big deal, because she helps Leno corral the voters most out of reach for the Assemblymember. Leno is polling well, particularly in San Francisco proper, but Marin is former Assemblymember Joe Nation's turf, and of course, incumbent Senator Carole Migden has represented the region for the past four years.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Lucas O'Connor [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Fresno peace activists are taking it to Jim Costa.  A coordinated effort from throughout the region is coming together

to "pressure Democratic Representative Jim Costa to vote NO on the September bill to continue funding the occupation of Iraq." [Peace Fresno president Bill] Simon wrote that "each group will take one day a week to picket in front of Costa's office and perhaps to go into the office to say 'No more funding'. We will also encourage passers by to call their Congressman and Senators."

Rep. Lynn Woolsey recently said that moderate Democrats need to hear the message that people in their district care.  In Fresno, the message is getting through to local activists.  Jean Hays, President of WILPF (Women's International League for Peace and Freedom) explains the strategy: "Some say Congress is not listening to us; we say maybe WE ARE NOT TALKING LOUD ENOUGH!!"

This is how we apply pressure and bring about change.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Here's a list of some CA Congress Critters:

Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA); Rep. Barbara Lee (CA); Rep. Maxine Waters (CA); Rep. Ellen Tauscher (CA); Rep. Diane Watson (CA); Rep. Bob Filner (CA); Rep. Hilda Solis (CA); Rep. Michael Honda (CA); Rep. Grace Flores Napolitano (CA); Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA); Rep. Pete Stark (CA); Rep. Lois Capps (CA)

What is this list? It's a list of the California delegation that has signed on to the following statement:

We are writing to inform you that we will only support appropriating additional funds for U.S. military operations in Iraq during Fiscal Year 2008 and beyond for the protection and safe redeployment of all our troops out of Iraq before you leave office.

You can find more information at DailyKos. You can contact your Congress critter here.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

...who just signed on to a letter to the President vowing not to appropriate any more money to the Iraq debacle for anything other than a fully funded withdrawal.  Kudos to these 12:

Lynn Woolsey
Barbara Lee
Maxine Waters
Ellen Tauscher
Diane Watson
Bob Filner
Hilda Solis
Grace Napolitano
Linda Sanchez
Mike Honda
Pete Stark
Lois Capps

Reward good behavior.  Letter on the flip.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The Senate just passed the Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill 51 - 46. Republicans Gordon Smith and Chuck Hagel joined the Democratic majority.
 
Last night, the legislation passed the House 218 to 208. Two Republican House Members voted for the bill and 13 Democrats voted against it, including California's Barbara Lee, Lynn Woolsey and Maxine Waters. Jim Costa did not vote and Pete Stark voted present. All the rest of California's Members of Congress voted on party lines.
 
A few changes were made to the legislation in conference, where the differences between the Senate and House versions are reconciled. Unfortunately, at least one of those changes deleted funding that impacts California -- aid for spinach farmers impacted by last year's E. coli contamination.