It appears four-term Democratic Congressman Scott Peters will face Republican Jim Debello in the November runoff for the 52nd Congressional District.
Peters was also challenged on the left by fellow Democrat Nancy Casady, a California Food and Agricultural Board member. Casady said she decided to challenge Peters over his refusal to back the proposed Green New Deal. The plan is aimed at wiping out the U.S. economy’s dependence on fossil fuels and creating high-paying, clean energy jobs.
A local politics observer doesn't think Peters’ position on the Green New Deal will hurt him.
“There are Democrats who don’t support the Green New Deal but still support strong action on climate change and coastal preservation,” said UC San Diego political scientist Thad Kousser. “I think Scott Peters is in that camp.”
The 52nd District encompasses much of Coastal San Diego County including La Jolla, Mission Beach and Downtown San Diego.
The district used to be competitive, but now Democrats hold a 35,000 voter advantage over Republicans.
“This was a battleground district in 2012 and 2014,” Kousser said. “But now it's a deep blue seat that's not on anyone's list of the toss-up districts. And that's because the state has changed and the national Republican Party has changed. California has grown more and more diverse. Donald Trump has really changed the image of the Republican Party.”
