GOP Sets Sights on Recapturing Bay Area Seat

The Politicio ^ | March 28, 2007 | Josh Kraushaar

[Clintonfatigued]

So far, two Republicans have emerged as likely challengers: Dean Andal, a former state assemblyman, and Guy Houston, a current assemblyman.

Andal served in the legislature in the early 1990s and gained a reputation as a hardline conservative. Wysocki, who is working with Andal, called him "one of the most conservative members who ever served in the state legislature." He is expected to announce his campaign kickoff May 1.

With Pombo's loss, Houston is the only elected Republican left in the Bay Area. He has a reputation as a pragmatic conservative. He is term-limited for 2008, and his local state Senate district is heavily Democratic. Houston met with NRCC officials in Washington in February.

National Republicans think Andal may have the advantage in a GOP primary because he represents the congressional district's base of San Joaquin County, while Houston's state legislative district includes parts of other congressional districts.

[Clintonfatigued]

This is one of the so-called "Scandal 5" districts that the Rodents captured due to the Republican nominee being ethically challenged.

[MassachusettsGOP]

I can think of 9 seats with scandals

Foley
DeLay
Pombo
Ney
Sherwood
Hayworth
Sweeney
Taylor
Weldon

[Kuksool]

A shame that some top tier prospects aren't running in some blueish districts (i.e Clay Shaw's district and some of the NY seats lost).

If Giuliani is the nominee, he would help the GOP reclaim some of the lost blueish districts.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Dean Andal sounds good. He had to win a regionwide seat (twice) on the state Board of Equalization, so that's a positive in his favor.

[Clintonfatigued]

Another thing, in spite of attacks on him as a crackpot, Andal is as smart as they come. He's something of an expert on e-commere and internet law.