A California Toss-Up
The Race in California's 36th
Congressional District

October 13, 2000: In an effort to reclaim the House of Representatives, Democrats are counting on former Congresswoman Jane Harman to win back her old seat in Southern California's 36th district. That means ousting freshman Republican Steve Kuykendall. The problem is that Harman left her seat voluntarily to run for governor, and after losing that race, now must convince the independent-minded voters of this beach-lined swing district to take her back. The race is a toss-up: polls from both campaigns have shown the two neck-and-neck ever since Kuykendall edged Harman 42 to 41 percent in the March open primary.

In 1998 Harman left the House of Representatives after serving three terms to enter California's gubernatorial race. Financed in part by family money, Harman ran over 20 points behind eventual winner Democrat Gray Davis and Republican Dan Lungren in the open primary. Two years later, with urging from House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri, Harman entered the congressional race just days before California's filing deadline. The ensuing contest now hinges on Harman's efforts to overcome the perception that she "abandoned" her district. She also must convince voters that her moderate approaches reflect their values.

Kuykendall, a 25-year resident of the 36th district, points not only to Harman's out-of-district activities, but also to his moderate Republican record. Though the district has a strong defense industry heritage and affluent, conservative enclaves, voters can also be socially liberal. Accordingly, Kuykendall touts a voting record that includes support of some abortion rights and gun control legislation. He also favors ending soft money campaign contributions and Senator John McCain has campaigned for him.

Harman is staking out the middle ground too. In addition to socially liberal stances, Harman advertises her pro-business work in Congress, like helping local aerospace industries diversify into other high-tech areas. She also pushes the development of dot-com business. In the race to the center, she is trying to tie Kuykendall to more conservative House leaders like Texans Tom DeLay and Dick Armey. But the candidates often end up taking similar positions: both hope to curb the impending Los Angeles International Airport expansion by promoting use of other regional airports. On big issues like prescription drug coverage and a patients' bill of rights, the difference between the candidates lies in the details, not in their support.

While suggesting Kuykendall is not moderate enough for the district, Harman counters his longtime-resident argument by pointing out that she would return to Washington the equivalent of a four-term member. She has been touting her seniority and has her eye on chairing the Select Intelligence Committee, where she could pull for the district's defense industry.

With two moderates running in a fiscally conservative, socially liberal district, the outcome is uncertain. Some voters have trouble differentiating between the candidates, who have a history of working together; Harman personally notified Kuykendall of her 1998 gubernatorial bid and of this congressional challenge. The closeness of the race emanates in part from the independent nature of the voters. Roughly a fifth register with third parties or decline to state their party affiliation. The deciding factor could be the district's acceptance or rejection of Harman's return.