On the ballot that is quickly filling up on May 19th, voters in Los Angeles County will also be voting to elect a new congressional member to represent the 32nd district. This district includes Baldwin Park, Covina and Azuza. While apparently the Los Angeles County Registrar has 17 candidates filed to run for this open seat, it seems that the races is truly a two-person race between the former Chair of Assembly Appropriations Committee and current Board of Equalization Member Judy Chu and State Senator Gil Cedillo. The race is to replace Hilda Solis who was confirmed by the US Senate to serve as President Obama’s Secretary of Labor.

In addition to this race, the rest of the state will also vote on May 19th on the package of propositions that were part of the recent budget deal passed by the Legislature. Despite the dire situation that California is facing if these initiatives are not passed, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released a poll that indicated that the passage of five of the six proposals is far from a given.

At their last meeting the California State University Board of Trustees voted to support five of the six propositions include Propositions 1A through 1E. Voting Trustees said that given the fiscal crisis in the state, the measures were necessary to help solve a critical cash flow problem without precedent in California history.

Finally, the special election carousel is far from over as congressional member Ellen Tauscher has been named to serve as the Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. While there was speculation that Assembly Member Tom Torlakson would run for this seat, he has declined the opportunity and will continue to focus on his run for State Superintendent of Education in 2010.

Meanwhile Ms. Tauscher has endorsed State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, to be her replacement in Congress. She was joined by the very popular congressional member George Miller, D-Martinez, in supporting Mr. DeSaulnier.

It has been rumored that recently elected Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, and former Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla may be looking at this seat as well along with Republicans such as Contra Costa Sheriff Warren Rupf, Fairfield City Councilwoman and Move America Forward Executive Director Catherine Moy and California Republican Party Vice Chairman Tom Del Beccaro. However, Democrats enjoy an 18-point registration advantage in this congressional district. With this endorsement of DeSaulnier, it would seem that the race could be over before it even begins but we shall see. The district encompasses portions of central and eastern Contra Costa County and portions of Alameda, Sacramento and Solano counties.