Posted on 03/09/2005 5:56:47 AM PST by SmithL
Doris Matsui won by a staggering margin Tuesday in the Sacramento-based 5th Congressional District race to become the 46th widow to succeed her husband in Congress.
Matsui had to receive more than 50 percent of the vote in order to avoid a runoff under rules of the special election. She did that -- and then some. With 89 percent of precincts reporting, Matsui had 71 percent of the vote in the low-turnout election.
Her nearest competitors were Democrat Julie Padilla (7 percent) and Republican John Thomas Flynn (6 percent).
Matsui, 60, will fly to Washington early Wednesday and expects to be sworn in Thursday, possibly to vote for a House transportation bill that includes authorization for Sacramento light-rail projects to the airport and Cosumnes River College.
"We chose to use our diverse backgrounds and diverse ideas to illuminate our common hopes," Matsui told supporters Tuesday night. "I believe we provided an example to Congress and the American people."
Tuesday's unexpected election occurred after Rep. Robert Matsui died Jan. 1 of pneumonia complicated by a rare blood disorder after serving for 26 years as Sacramento's congressman.
Doris Matsui's win capped a condensed six-week campaign in which she immediately began as the front-runner because of the name recognition and political connections she inherited from her husband.
That advantage was so strong that several prominent local Democrats chose not to run against Matsui in the district's first open race in more than 26 years.
Despite facing 11 opponents, Doris Matsui was collecting the same percentage of votes that her husband received in his last election. Robert Matsui received 71 percent of votes last November.
As expected, voter turnout was extremely low, largely owing to the fact that the congressional race was the only one on the ballot and that the race wasn't competitive.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Well, this is depressing. I feel like a red speck in a blue ocean. This woman had NO qualifications for the office, ran NO campaign, subjected herself to NO public debate. She wasn't elected, she was crowned.
Well no, that's not true. She was elected. 71% of my friends and neighbors voted for her because... because... because she was married to Bob Matsui, who never did one thing that represented our convictions, values, hopes, dreams. And now the legacy lives on.
I asked a politically-positioned far-right friend what his advice was, which one of the 473 running for this office should have my vote.
His first advice: "Move out of the district."
Then he told me which one I should waste my vote on.
It really is pathetic. But she didn't take the office by storm or coup.
Idiots crowned her with it.
Gosh! what a depressing place to live. I *hate* this place!
Dan
)c8
Ping
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
We all better hope Bill Clinton stays in good health so Hillary won't get the sympathy vote in 2008
It was our best chance in decades. I gather that party referred to anyone who ran against Matsui as the "sacrificial lamb." This was a chance to change that. Now we're locked back into the rut. Might as well call it The Matsui Seat.
Dan
/c8
I forget (if I ever knew) -- do you live in this district? This triumph of sentimentalism over rationality means my family being locked in, again, to being "represented" by someone who NEVER represents our values and convictions. I'll never forget what a robotic, lockstep Clintonite the late Bob Matsui was, how he utterly failed us during those dark years.
And now that black tradition continues in his widow.
I'd've said, "Want to be nice to the widow? Buy her a present. Then do something nice for the DISTRICT -- elect an actual representative."
Of course, as I said, that's the real depressing part. She probably DOES represent the district: a bunch of statist, whiney, valueless Donk-party-first dependents.
Not that I have any opinion on this, of course. (c;
Dan
What is it that makes these women think they are capable of filling their husbands' seats in congress just because they were married to them? Osmosis?
Approx. 90% of widows who stand for election to fill their deceased husband's seat win. The widow Capps (CA), Carnahan (MO), Bono (CA), Boggs(LA), Emerson (MO),etc. It's just the sympathy vote. It works for one term. After that, they must stand on their own two high-heels...
why don't we just give congressional and senate seats as christmas gifts to family members?
this country was formed as a rejection of aristocracy.
but it seems that hollywood worship has taken us away from merit.
Don't the Matsuis have children? When Doris dies the crown will go to the prince or princess next in line.
Nepotism sucks.
BTW: Where is the 5th district? I need to know what cities to avoid if I ever decide to move closer to Sacramento.
Well, you know what they say: nepotism begins at home.
But Matsui children.... brrr! What a thought!
As to where the 5th district is... I think it's one of those straggly ones. Dan, is there a map online?
Dan
I believe we are underestimated the quiet, yet strong Japanese_Amer population in the district. Very influential, with wealth, and effective in political action in Sacramento.
Hattend, check out #17.
Dan
Whew, Missed Roseville and Penryn and Auburn by <> that much.
Looks like it's mostly downtown SAC...no chance of me ever moving there. :-)
Thanks, Dan
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