Congressional Campaign Heats Up in Final Weeks

The 2nd District started out strong and has continued to build in intensity. With three weeks to go, it's looking like a horserace between three main candidates, all from Marin.

Votes in the June 5 primary election will narrow the field of 12 candidates down to the top two, who will then compete in the November general elections to represent the 2nd District in Congress.

Three Democratic contenders continue to be the favorites — State Assemblyman Jared Huffman, entrepreneur Stacey Lawson and peace activist Norman Solomon — but the Santa Rosa Press Democrat is reporting that Huffman, of San Rafael, is considered the favorite, based partly on his $865,000 in campaign funding.

All three of the top candidates according to the article. San Rafael resident is banking on being on the candidate with legislative experience; , also of San Rafael, cites her skills in job creation and working with entrepreneurs; and  of Inverness draws upon his liberal roots that have a strong attraction locally and a national following.

Another "feisty" candidate contender, according to the Press Democrat, is  Democratic Marin County Supervisor Susan Adams, of San Rafael.

The newspaper article calls the other eight candidates "long shots, their chances diminished by lack of funding, obscurity and Democrat domination of the district." These include both Republican party candidates, Michael Halliwell of Cotati and Daniel Roberts of Tiburon, and Green Party candidate Andy Caffrey of Garberville.

For an overview of the candidates at their appearance at one of the few all-candidate debates up in Healdsburg, There was also a that gave the candidates a chance to air their positions, and differences.

The 2nd District — or North Coast — congressional seat, is a combination of the former 6th District seat vacated by the retiring , and portions of the former 1st District seat held by

The new district stretches up the North Coast and the 101 corridor from Marin County to the Oregon border — with the exception of Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park, which are now part of Thompson's new 5th District.