Failed CD-10 candidate named Candidate of the Year and one of 2009's Best and Brightest by Esquire magazine

"He's an Iraq-war vet, a West Point and Harvard grad, one of the first openly gay black men to run for Congress. And, now, in debt and out of a job. But that's just the beginning of his story."

This is Esquire magazine, introducing its profile of Anthony Woods in its December issue.

At 29, Woods, an economic policy analyst, returned to his hometown of Fairfield in March to run for the congressional seat left open by Ellen Tauscher's decision to leave California's 10th congressional district and go work for President Obama's administration.

From the beginning, Todd Stenhouse, the political consultant Woods hired to guide his campaign, "recognized the potential in Woods's story: a decorated Iraq-war veteran kicked out of the Army for being gay; a young African-American man raised without health insurance by a single mother, going on to West Point and Harvard."

Yes, as I noted in a post, back in July, that Woods' backstory was the dream of any progressive Hollywood scriptwriter.

As the Esquire story continues: "In the age of personality-driven politics, [Stenhouse] knew he could get media attention for Woods that other first-time candidates, no matter how good their intentions, would never receive. And if the campaign could use the online organizing tools perfected by Obama to transform that attention into strong grassroots support, Woods might just surprise the establishment and come out on top."

Well, that didn't happen. In the September 1 run-off, Woods came in fifth, behind leader, Lt. Governor John Garamendi, who went on to win the November 3 special election. The Esquire story points out that Woods recognized that, in "a business that is famously local, his candidacy was garnering more attention on the national stage than within the district."

Woods is back in Washington, weighing his options, including whether he'll run again and how he would do things differently next time. He said in a candidate's debate at St. Mary's College in August that he believed that it was time to send a younger generation to Washington, and someone who had grown up knowing what it's like to live inside a failed policy.

The Esquire story continues: "When the debate ended, [Garamendi] was gone within minutes, but Woods remained standing in the aisle, where voters had lined up to speak with him."

Associated Press calls Garamendi winner in California's 10th congressional race; so far, early results show Garamendi in the lead

UPDATE 9:20 p.m. CBS5 says the Associated Press is calling the 10th congressional race, to replace former U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher, for her fellow Democrat, state Lt. Governor John Garamendi.

As of 8:30 p.m.: Garamendi had been leading his main opponent, David Harmer, in the race for U.S. representative in California's 10th congressional district.

Garamendi was leading Harmer, a Republican and San Ramon attorney, with 56 percent of the vote. That is, with 78 of 273 precincts reporting. Harmer has nearly 40 percent of the vote.

Contra Costa Times' Lisa Vorderbrueggen's Political Blotter column reports that vote-by-mail results posted in Contra Costa County show Garamendi leading with 57percent compared with 38 percent for Republican David Harmer.

Vote Tuesday!

Yeah, 2009 is an off-year for an election, and the ballot list isn't long, but try as much as you can to vote.

We've got some vitally important local races.

There's the election to decide our next local representative in the 10th U.S. Congressional District. The main contenders are Lt. Governor John Garamendi (Democrat) and San Ramon attorney David Harmer (Republican).

For those who live in Walnut Creek, you get to decide on the future of Broadway Plaza by voting "yes" or "no" on Measure I. A "yes" vote would allow Broadway Plaza to build a new department store--effectively, a Neiman Marcus--in downtown Walnut Creek.

Then there are the measures to extend parcel taxes for our local school districts: Measure G for the Acalanes Union High School District and Measure H for the Walnut Creek School District.

Good for you if you got your mail-in ballots in. And good for you if you've marked in time in whatever calendar you use to stop by your neighborhood polling place to vote.

Don't make the poor choice I made in last May's special election, when I didn't vote. Don't pull a Meg Whitman.

Come on, there's something very cool about getting to vote tomorrow. Those of us in the 10th congressional district get to decide on whom we want to send to Washington to represent us. Walnut Creek-ans get to decide on the enormously fateful question of whether they want a new luxury department store in town, and, we hope, put this whole Neiman Marcus controversy behind us. And property owners who live within two school district boundaries get to decide whether they think the schools need their financial help, via permanent parcel tax extensions.

Look, there is not a lot we can control in what's going on in the world, in this country, or even in this state. But we can make these local decisions that, especially with the school measures, affect us in an almost day-to-day way.

Tuesday election endorsements

No, not from me but from a more "reputable" sources, the Contra Costa Times and the San Francisco Chronicle:

Congressional District 10: Both newspapers give a thumbs up to Lt. John Garamendi. The Times says: "Garamendi's long record of service in public office makes him the best choice to represent residents in the district stretching from Fairfield through much of Contra Costa and into Livermore."

Walnut Creek's Measure I (what I'm calling the Neiman Marcus measure, even though, yes, I know, the intiative officially doesn't guarantee Neiman Marcus coming to Broadway Plaza, just a new department store): The Times says Yes.

Acalanes Union High School District's Measure G: The Times says Yes, because the district would be devastated if its $189 per parcel tax is not extended.

Walnut Creek School District's Measure H: The Times says Yes, because this extension of the $82 per parcel tax "is more critical than ever for operations."

Couldn't get to the CD-10 candidates debate last night? Here's when it will be broadcast on TV

I couldn't get to it either. (But if you did go, let us know what you think.)

The Contra Costa Times says the five candidates for the 10th congressional district engaged in a mostly cordial debate that touched on health care, the hot-button topic of the day, Afghanistan, and California water issues.

The five candidates vying to replace former U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher in next Tuesday's election are: California Lt. Governor John Garamendi (Democrat), San Ramon attorney David Harmer (Republican), Jeremy Cloward (Green Party), Jerry Denham (American Independent Party), and Mary McIroy (Peace and Freedom Party).

The debate took place at St. Mary's College and was co-sponsored by the Times and St. Mary's College. Although Garamamendi is considered a front-runner in this majority Democratic district (and is leading in Crazy in Suburbia's own poll), Harmer brought the most vocal supporters to the debate, the Times says.

If you're interested, here's when you can catch it on TV:

Contra Costa TV (CCTV)
Friday, October 30, at 8p.m.
Saturday, October 31, at 11:30a.m.
8p.m. Sunday, November 1 at 7 p.m.
CCTV is carried throughout Contra Costa County on Comcast Channel 27, Astound Channel 32 and AT&T U-verse on Channel 99.

Comcast Central County
Friday, October 30, 8p.m.
Saturday, October 31, 1p.m. and 7p.m.
Sunday, November 1, 10a.m. and 8p.m.
Comcast Central County is shown on Channel 26 and covers Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Lamorinda, Concord, Clayton, South Walnut Creek, Rossmoor, Tice Valley and Alamo/Danville.

WCTV (City of Walnut Creek)
Friday, October 30 at 7p.m.
Saturday, October 31 at 11a.m.
Sunday, November 1 at 11a.m.
Monday, November 2 at 7p.m.
WCTV is shown on Channel 28 in City of Walnut Creek neighborhoods.

How are you going to vote in three hot local races?

A big election is coming November 3, and how are you going to vote in these three races? Participate in the poll at left. (BTW, hope these polls are working; first time I've played with these gadgets! Let me know of any complications.)

--Walnut Creek's Measure I: Do you want a new department store--a Neiman Marcus--to be built in Broadway Plaza?

--The 10th Congressional District: Who do you want to replace former U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher? Lt. Governor John Garamendi, a Democrat, or San Ramon attorney David Harmer?

--Measures G and H: Both measures would permanently extend parcel taxes in school districts covering Walnut Creek. Acalanes Union High School District's Measure G would extend an $189-per-parcel tax. Walnut Creek's Measure H would extend an $82 per-parcel tax.

David Harmer thinks he has a chance to upset John Garamendi for Ellen Tauscher’s seat

The 10th congressional district is solidly Democrat, but Republican attorney David Harmer thinks he has a good shot at defeating the more experienced politician, his Democratic rival Lt. Governor John Garamendi.

Wall Street Journal writer John Fund says that a recent poll “using conventional turnout models” by Wilson Research Strategies shows Garamendi with a 41% to 34% lead in the district, where 47 percent of registered voters are Democrat, and 28 percent are Republican.

“Harmer has had no trouble portraying Mr. Garamendi as a big part of the state's fiscal mess," Fund writes. "Mr. Garamendi, a true-blue liberal who has held various offices for 30 years, clearly relishes the old tax-and-spend formula that got California into its current fiscal hole.”

While Fund proclaims that an upset is definitely possible on November 3, Contra Costa Times political writer Lisa Vorderbrueggen is not so sure:

“The lieutenant governor has overwhelming name identification in a congressional district where Democrats outnumber Republicans by 18 percentage points. Harmer is a political unknown likely to raise just a fraction of the money that his opponent will collect.”

Final results: Garamendi v. Harmer in November runoff

5 a.m. Wednesday: Yes, Lt. Governor John Garamendi won the Democratic nomination to compete in the November 3 runoff for the 10th Congressional District. San Ramon attorney David Harmer won the Republican nomination.

With 97 of 97 precincts reporting, Garamendi was the top vote getter of all 14 candidates--Democrat and Republican--who were running in Tuesday's special primary election. He received 24.8 percent of the vote. His closest rival was another Democrat: State Senator Mark DeSaulnier who received 21.7 percent. But DeSaulnier is out of the race, and Harmer is in. He came in third last night, with 20 percent. Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan came in fourth, with 11 percent.


(To be updated occasionally):

Early results indicate that Lt. Governor John Garamendi is leading among the field of 14 candidates and five Democrats in today's special primary election to compete in a November runoff for the 10th Congressional District. Meanwhile, San Ramon attorney David Harmer is leading among the six Republicans.

As of 10:30 p.m., with 49 out of 97 precints reporting, Garamendi had received nearly 26 percent of the vote. His closest contenders on the Democratic side: State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, had received 21 percent of the vote, and state Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, had received nearly 12 percent. Meanwhile, on the Republican side, David Harmer had received 19 percent--putting him in third place.

The top vote-getter from each race will compete in the November 3 runoff to replace former U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher, who left her post to take a job with the State Department. To avoid a runoff, one candidate would need to receive 50 percent of the vote.

KTVU political editor Randy Shandobil said, with so many candidates running, it's not likely that any one candidate will get the 50 percent to avoid the runoff.

So far, it looks like Garamendi will be the Democratic candidate in a heavily Democratic district. He told Shandobil he credits tonight's early good results to the fact that he had lots of supporters out "walking" on his behalf, and voters wanting someone to replace Tauscher in the 10th Congressional district who will go to Washington D.C. to "get in there and get things done, health care and workers' comp."

Yes, it was Joan Buchanan, and I voted! Did you?

Applause! Applause to Anon. August 30, 5:23 p.m. and Amy! You guessed it. Yes, it was Joan Buchanan, whom I spied at Whole Foods in Walnut Creek around noon on Saturday, shopping for groceries and wheeling out a platter of fresh cut fruit.

Didn't want to say, until late today, who this mystery candidate/shopper was. Didn't want anything I wrote (Yeah, right!) to prejudice your vote one way or the other in this hotly contested race. Buchanan, the recently elected state Assemblywoman and Alamo Democrat, is one of 14 candidates vying to replace Ellen Tauscher as U.S. Representative in the 10th Congressional District.

The top vote-getter in each party today moves onto the ballot for the November 3 election. That is, unless one of the 14 gains the majority of all the votes cast. Then that lucky politician becomes Tauscher's replacement in Washington D.C.--and we don't have to do this all again in November.

Anyway, I just went to my local precinct and voted. In and out. Just like that. And I received one of my special stickers!

Get ready to vote in Tuesday’s special primary election

Don’t pull a Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina, or even Soccer Mom in the May 19 special election and not vote tomorrow. Don’t contribute to what the Contra Costa Times Lisa Vorderbrueggen says is expected to be a “very light turnout,” of what could be only 38 percent, according to Contra Costa County elections chief Steve Weir.

Here is Crazy in Suburbia’s handy-dandy guide to the candidates, and I’ve added the above photo of the bizarrely shaped 10^th congressional district (amoeba on steroids?) so you can get a picture of whether you need to vote.

And, according to Vorderbrueggen, tomorrow’s election is not likely to produce a new U.S. Representative to replace Ellen Tauscher. The top vote-getters from each party tomorrow will face each other in a November 3 runoff, unless one candidate receives a majority of the vote. With 14 candidates vying in a red-hot race, it’s not likely that any one candidate will win a majority.

But you never know!

Guess who? CD-10 candidate leaving Walnut Creek grocery store with... fruit plate!!!

Blind Item! I Spy!!!

Stopped by Walnut Creek's Whole Foods to grab a salad bar lunch today, and happened to spy one of the 14 candidates for the 10th congressional districts out doing some grocery shopping!!!

I'd say I was turning into Gawker, but I'm such a coward I didn't pull out my camera and snap candid photo of candidate...

Who is in the candidate? He/She is coming down the wire in a hotly contest race to replace Ellen Tauscher as U.S. representative.

The primary special election is Tuesday!!! Don't forget to vote!!!

Who could it be?

This candidate, in white trousers and dark shirt, wheeled out a load of groceries to the parking lot. Notably, for eco-friendly voters out there, this candidate managed to have said groceries loaded into those Whole Foods re-usable bags.

And yes, I noticed that, on top of these eco-friendly bags of groceries, was sitting a Whole Foods platter of cut fresh fruit. No doubt, the platter was intended for some campaign event, though candidate's calendar doesn't specifically indicate a campaign event for today...

Contra Costa Times also endorses Garamendi; raises concerns about DeSaulnier's support of "unsustainable" pension increases to public safety workers

Lt. Governor John Garamendi--already receiving endorsements from the San Francisco Chronicle, and from former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore--just received a thumbs up from the Contra Costa Times in his bid to replace Ellen Tauscher as U.S. representative for the 10th congressional district.

Garamendi, a Democrat whose Walnut Grove residency has become a point of contention in this race, nonetheless received the Times' support because of his "experience working in Washington, D.C., as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior in the Clinton administration." Garamendi, who, according to the Times, lives on "the edge of the district," also "has broad experience in state government with two years in the Assembly and 14 years in the state Senate. He twice was elected as California Insurance Commissioner, where he helped make significant consumer reforms."

As for Garamendi's closest rival, state Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord), the Times agrees that he has served a long time in public office, including on the Concord City Council and on the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors.

Actually, it's his stint as a supervisor that worries the Times: "Many of the financial problems that afflict Contra Costa County today stem directly from decisions DeSaulnier championed while he was supervisor. Most notably, in 2002, at a time when the county faced a $31.5 million shortfall, was already laying off workers and was already experiencing increased public employee pension costs, DeSaulnier supported unsustainable pension increases that hiked benefits for public safety workers by as much as 50 percent. The plan allowed public safety workers to retire at age 50 with a pension worth 3 percent of their salary for each year served."

Read the full endorsement here. The open primary election takes place September 1. All 14 candidates--including five Democrats and six Republicans--will appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. The top vote-getter in each party, plus the nonpartisan candidates, will advance to the general election unless one candidate receives in the primary 50 percent plus one vote. If that occurs, the candidate will win the post outright.

Bill, Al urging us to vote for Garamendi for Congress

Two letters, one from William Jefferson Clinton--with his presidential seal--and one from the Honorable Al Gore arrived in the mail today, urging our family to vote for Lt. Governor John Garamendi for congress.

Garamendi is one of 14 candidates running in a September 1 special election to replace Ellen Tauscher as the U.S. representative in the 10th congressional district. Here's a round-up of the candidates in this red hot race.

President Clinton's letter, printed with a Courier-esque font that looks like it was just rolled out of an old-fashioned typewriter, extolls Garamendi as a "proven environmental leader and first-rate public servant." Gore, Mr. Nobel Prize-winning Inconvenient Truth, also praises Garamendi's environmental record: "As a life-long rancher ... John served at the U.S. Department of the Interior helping to protect our nation's natural heritage. He worked shoulder to shoulder with President Clinton and me to design programs to protect and preserve our National Parks for generations to come."

Both laud Garamendi's advocacy as state Insurance Commissioner on behalf of consumers, and for his overall experience in government at the local, state, and national level.

The San Francisco Chronicle has also endorsed Garamendi, saying he stands out in the crowd of contenders"because his vast portfolio of experience is so well aligned with the issues of the times and the big concerns of the district." (Here is Garamendi with his wife, Patti; both were long-time volunteers with the Peace Corps.)

"The 64-year-old Garamendi has the confidence and depth of knowledge that would allow him to hit the ground running in Congress --and his history sggests he would be unabashed in doing so," the Chronicle says.

If you want to do the horse race thing, these sorts of endorsements are probably helping to give Garamendi a double-digit lead in recent polls, according to the Contra Costa Times Lisa Vorderbrueggen. Whether you're happy about that or not--personally, I haven't decided whom I'll vote for--Garamendi is also leading the pack in fundraising, Vorderbrueggen says. He has raised $517,368 since he launched his campaign and $216,655 in the last reporting period between July 1 and Aug. 12."

State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier of Concord, Garamendi's chief rival and the candidate who seemed to be the early frontrunner for the seat, has been unable to keep up with Garamendi, fundraising-wise. "He has raised $378,028 during the election cycle and $168,249 in the most recent reporting period. His lag behind Garamendi may reflect the two recent polls that show Garamendi with a double-digit lead," Vorderbrueggen says.

I wonder how much DeSaulnier's campaign was hurt by the U.S. State Department, Ellen Tauscher's new employer, asking DeSaulnier to stop advertising her early endorsement in his campaign materials.

DeSaulnier is fighting back, with a new mailer that explains why Garamendi would not choose to run in District 3--where "he actually lives"--because it would pit him against Republican Dan Lungren in a Republican leaning district, Vorderbrueggen writes in her blog on Friday.

Back to that Chronicle endorsement of Garamendi: It also offers a favorable assessment of the other candidates, including DeSaulnier, Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, and the leading Republican in the race, San Ramon attorney David Harmer.

Notably, the Chronicle agreed with my prediction of which politician to keep an eye on for the future. That would be Democrat Anthony Woods, the 29-year-old Iraq war vet with degrees from West Point and Harvard. Actually, he's the "gay Iraq war vet," who defied the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell " policy. He also is the son of a single mother who pulled himself up by those proverbial bootstraps. Bottom line: He's got the great made-for-movies biography. The Chronicle editorial board was impressed with the "depth and energy" he displayed in his interview. "He has a bright future in politics, if he stays with it. He should."

Oops! Glossy DeSaulnier brochure, which got past US State Department's Tauscher endorsement ban, arrives in my mailbox today!

This arrived in my mailbox today. It's a glossy, eight-page brochure from state Senator Mark DeSaulnier with a full-page color photo of him with Ellen Tauscher, whose former 10th congressional seat he is running to fill. As you can see, it reads "Mark DeSaulnier is my choice for Congress."

Way back, Tauscher, who gave up her seat to fill a top U.S. State Department post, endorsed DeSaulnier as the candidate to replace her as our local representative in Washington, D.C.

But things got very complicated last week, when it was announced on Friday that the State Department had asked DeSaulnier to stop using Tauscher's name in all his ads and campaign materials. This announcement was made public last Friday.

Nearly a week later, this brochure turns up in my mailbox. No postmark on it, so who knows when it was mailed? Before the endorsement ban? After?

DeSaulnier's use of Tauscher's endorsement doesn't break any laws, but a legal advisor to the U.S. State Department explained why he should withdraw her name from his campaign materials: “Under Secretary Tauscher is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct. To avoid even the appearance of impropriety, on behalf of Undersecretary Tauscher, I have asked Senator DeSaulnier to remove all references in his campaign material of any endorsement she may have made."

CD10 campaign heats up! State Department asks DeSaulnier to remove Tauscher endorsement from campaign materials

As the song goes: "The streets of Walnut Creek are alive . . . with the sight of CD10 campaign signs . . .

Here's the intersection where Homestead Avenue hits Ygnacio Valley Road. Which of the 14 candidates to replace former U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher, who took a top State Department post, are we missing from this display?

Meanwhile, state Senator Mark DeSaulnier lost some good PR potential. The Contra Costa Times Lisa Vorderbrueggen, on her blog Friday, says:

The U.S. State Department has asked 10th District Congressional candidate and state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier to remove all references in his campaign materials to
his endorsement from former congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, who is now undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security at the U.S. State Department.

While a legal adviser to the U.S. State Department concludes that the endorsement broke no laws or policies, “Under Secretary Tauscher is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct. To avoid even the appearance of impropriety, on behalf of Undersecretary Tauscher, I have asked Senator DeSaulnier to remove all references in his campaign material of any endorsement she may have made,” wrote James Thessin, deputy legal adviser and designated agency ethics official?

But DeSaulnier's campaign manager Katie Merrill, according to Vorderbrueggen, alleges that Tauscher's request is a result of "sour grapes," a complaint filed by Lt. Governor John Garamendi who asked for Tauscher's endorsement but didn't get it, perhaps because she had already endorsed DeSaulnier back in March.

Psst: I happened to attend a speech Tauscher gave in Lafayette a couple months back, and Garamendi showed up, on his way to give a talk at another event. He looked like he was eager to have private face time with the soon-to-be former congresswoman.

Red hot race to fill Tauscher's seat: Which of 14 candidates do you like?

Sure, the more than dozen candidates vying to replace Rep. Ellen Tauscher in the 10th congressional district have just filed to run. And maybe, like me, you’ve just started to sort through their resumes and qualifications.

But if you already know who you want to represent you in Washington, or have an inkling of who you might vote for, share your thoughts, arguments, endorsements.

Here’s my handy-dandy list of candidates—provided with the help of handy-dandy candidate lists from the Contra Costa Times Lisa Vorderbrueggen and the San Francisco Chronicle. Speaking of Lisa Vorderbrueggen, her blog can keep you up to date on some of the behind-the-scenes drama (like an Alamo nonpartisan's suit over the signature deadline for filing) of what appears to be a very exciting, dramatic race.

Just look at some of the high-profile politicians going for this seat. The New York Times made note of this contentious race.

There are some “usual suspects” in East Bay politics, such as State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan. Then there is Lt. Governor John Garimendi.

There are also some new, scrappy “outsider” candidates, such as Adriel Hampton. He’s a former journalist from Dublin who kicked off his campaign at the historic Walnut Creek home of Julia and Elizabeth Maxwell next door to Civic Park. The city had wanted to tear their home down to make more room for its new library and parking garage, and Hampton was at the forefront of helping to save it.

Then there’s Anthony Woods, known nationally now as the “gay Iraq war veteran,” whom I wrote about in a previous blog.

Sorry, GOPers, but the most compelling candidates so far come from the left side of the aisle. But who knows? Republicans Chris Bunch, Gary Clift, David Harmer, Mark Loos, David Peterson, John Toth, or the Green Party’s Jeremy Cloward could rise up in the public consciousness.

Basics of the race: The special primary is September 1, and voters can select a candidate from any party. If one candidate wins a simple majority, that candidate wins the election. If not, the top vote-getter from each political party will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, which will also be open to all voters. Whoever receives the most votes on that ballot wins. Visit the California Secretary of State's office for more information on the race.

DEMOCRATS

Joan Buchanan, assemblywoman and educator, 56, Alamo
Also: First in her family to graduate from college, former executive at Delta Dental, long-time member of the San Ramon Valley school district, mother of five, winner of California Teachers Association State Gold Award.

Quote: "My top priority is getting people back to work. Sustaining economic growth means making education a national priority. I have the financial know-how and educational experience to lead on these issues."

Mark DeSaulnier, state senator, 57,
Also: Single father of two sons, completed 21 marathons, long-time restaurant owner, previously served as Concord mayor, Contra Costa supervisor, and state Assemblyman.
Quote: "Throughout my life and career, I’ve fought for the issues that matter most: affordable health care, the welfare of children and families, smart growth that improves both our transportation infrastructure and our quality of living and the preservation of our precious natural resources."

John Garamendi, lieutenant governor and rancher, 64, Walnut Grove

Also: UC regent; former California insurance commissioner, U.S. Interior Department deputy secretary, state assembly member, state senator, Peace Corps volunteer who served in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Congo wars; father of six, grandfather of nine.
Quote: “I'm a passionate advocate for education ... I wrote the green legislation that led to solar and wind energy development here in California, and as a longtime rancher in the Delta, I know the challenges we face over water issues and climate change. Right now, many Californians are hurting--from job losses, foreclosures, and the high cost of health care. I see a bright future for our state, at the center of a new

industrial revolution that brings thousands of new jobs and economic growth.”

Adriel Hampton, former journalist, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office investigator, 31, Dublin
Also: First candidate to announce his campaign via Twitter; member of the Chickasaw Nation, first of his family to earn a B.A. degree; supports legalization marijuana; lives in affordable housing next to the Dublin BART station, father of two young sons.
Quote: "We can have a healthy government built on the common dreams we share. What it will take is breaking from the mold of political musical chairs, where the same handful of candidates are considered the front runners for whatever open office comes up. I am running because I have a vision for our America. My vision goes beyond partisan battles and to the heart of “government by the people, of the people, for the people.” I am just a guy, but I am a guy with a dream. … We must invest ourselves in an America where hard work and merit still lead to prosperity, where the next generations are as lucky as we are, in an America where anything is possible.”

Anthony Woods, economic policy analyst, 29, Fairfield

Also: Native of Travis Air Force base, son of single mother, grew up without health insurance, graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, served two tours in Iraq, won Bronze star, graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, honorably discharged after he defied military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy.”

Quote: “I was born and raised right here in our community. I’ve lived the fight for a quality education and an economy that works for all Americans. I lived the uncertainty of being without health care for most of my life. I spent nine years in the military, and two of them on the battle fields of Iraq. I know the challenges our veterans are facing when

they come home first hand. And I have lived the fight to end discrimination from the world’s greatest democracy once and for all. And that is both the perspective, and the spirit of urgency and possibility that I will bring to the floor of the United States congress.”

REPUBLICANS
Chris Bunch, small-business owner, 31, Fairfield
Also: Born in Texas, adopted at birth, son of a single father; US Air Force veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq; father of four, “unapologetic” conservative, NRA member, against same-sex marriage.
Quote: "As a nation, we are now facing challenges that are unprecedented in our history. Our problems are monstrous in both size and complexity. Nevertheless, the most complex of problems often require us to simply refocus on the fundamentals, on our first principals, for us to look to our magnificent Constitution and the Founder’s intent, and to simply rely on some good old fashion common sense."

Gary Clift, retired law-enforcement official, 52, rural Solano County
Also: As dependent of U.S. foreign service officer, grew up in third-world countries; UC Davis graduate; owns small organic farm.
Quote: "The financial future of our country is at risk if the Federal Government follows California’s lead. Federal government has grown too big and expenditures greatly exceed tax revenues. This cannot continue. We need to reduce federal government by cutting the waste and mis-management."

David Harmer, attorney, 47, San Ramon
Also: Brigham Young University law school graduate, one-time counsel to a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, appointed by Senator Orrin Hatch, father of four, kids’ soccer coach.
Quote: "I’m aghast at the pace with which Congress is mortgaging our future. I stand for a desperately needed return to prudence and thrift in public expenditures."

Mark Loos, small business owner, 47, Livermore
Also: Operated a care home for special needs children in early 90s, father of four, grandfather of one
Quote: “The main goal of this campaign is to bring to you, the voter, the one that is paying the tab, 100 percent control over the process. Not only do we need a transparent government, but we need the voters to be the owners of the system. I will be your direct voice into the closed-door meetings. I will be your outspoken representative on the issues.”

David Peterson, my-Representative.org founder, 46, Walnut Creek
Quote: “I am very good at improving processes and reducing costs. After 15 years of building accountability systems for Fortune 500 companies, the federal government is the last great frontier of excess.”

John Toth, physician, 50, Pleasant Hill
Quote: "I have served as president of two medical associations and am the only Republican to serve in elective office. I will work to preserve our liberties."

OTHER PARTIES
Green Party: Jeremy Cloward, adjunct political science professor, 38, of Pleasant Hill
Also: Reared in Pleasant Hill, graduate of College Park High School, taught at Ygnacio Valley High in Concord, member of the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, the NAACP, the United Farm Workers of America, and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Quote: "I am running because the issues that are important to all of us, healthcare, education, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, need to be addressed by people and a party that are actually willing to address them."

American Independent: Jerome Denham, insurance agent, 73, Walnut Creek

Peace and Freedom: Mary McIlroy, order-taker at courier firm, 49, El Cerrito
Quote: “If elected to Congress, I won't be able to change a thing. I will, however, be a powerful voice of the working class.”

One CD-10 candidate's backstory: a progressive Hollywood scriptwriter's dream

You’re an aspiring Hollywood screen writer and you’re asked to help pen a remake of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, the classic tale of a young, idealistic political outsider who winds up appointed to a U.S. Senate seat.

Of course, you need to update the tale for 2009 from 1939, in which Mr. Smith (played by James Stewart at his aw-shucks best) is the wholesome head of the Boy Rangers.

You’re an admirer of Aaron Sorkin, best known as the writer and creator of the literate, sharp-edged White House TV drama, The West Wing. You try to think of the kind of 2009 Mr. Smith that Sorkin would devise. Sorkin’s Mr. Smith would be a Democrat, as was his West Wing’s Josiah Bartlett. He would also be well-educated, witty, and charismatic.

But here are the qualities you would add, to enhance his status as an outsider and to show that he's got the tough-guy pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps credibility that would trump conservatives. You would also be keen to show that he possesses personal integrity and is willing to stand up for causes he believes in, even if they might rub some people the wrong way. You would make him:

-- African-American.

-- The son of a single mom who worked as a housekeeper.

-- So determined to rise above his circumstances that he worked hard in school to score good grades and to win a Congressional appointment to West Point—and later admission into the master’s degree program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

-- A young officer who served two tours of duty in Iraq, even though he personally had reservations about the war.

--A young officer who received a Bronze Star for leading his troops into fierce battles and for helping Iraqis rebuild their war-torn nation.

--A philanthropic athlete who biked across the country to raise money for Habitat for Humanity and who volunteered to rebuild homes in Hurricane-ravaged Katrina.

And, yes, you’d make him young, good-looking and charming.

And, as a kicker, you’d make him gay. And wanting to take a stand against the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy."

So, that’s the public biography of Anthony Woods, who is one of about dozen Democrats, Republicans, and other party representatives who are vying to replace Ellen Tauscher as the U.S. representative for the 10th congressional district.

In writing about Woods, also known in one national headline as the "gay Iraq war veteran," I’m not saying he's my favorite candidate. I haven’t had a chance to look closely at the candidates to see who I prefer.

But Woods, and his made-for-Hollywood biography and opposition to discrimination against gays in the military, have garnered him national attention: CNN, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, and the website, the Daily Beast, which had this headline: "Best Political Resume Ever: Insurgent congressional candidate Anthony Woods' life story reads like Aaron Sorkin wrote it ..."

For the primary election, set for September 1, Woods is going up against some high-profile political heavyweights--opponents who are well-known in the East Bay, around the state, even nationally. Contra Costa Times political columnist Lisa Vorderbrueggen says the primary is an open ballot, meaning that all candidates will appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. The top vote-getter in each party plus the nonpartisan candidates will advance to the general election unless one candidate receives in the primary 50 percent plus one vote. If that occurs, the candidate will win the post outright.

Given his competition, Woods' emerging political celebrity may not be enough to assure him victory this time and propel him into Ellen Tauscher’s seat and national office. But given his personal background and story, Harvard degree, Bronze Star, and telegenic gifts, it’s likely that Woods has a bright future ahead of him—in politics or in some other arena.