(Rep. Cal) Dooley (DINO-CA) will quit Congress

[goobergunch]

Valley Democrat won't run for re-election in '04.
By Michael Doyle
Bee Washington Bureau
(Published Tuesday, September 2, 2003, 5:26 AM)

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Cal Dooley will announce today his retirement from the House of Representatives, with the Fresno-area Democrat saying he is ready for fresh challenges as he approaches his 50th birthday.

<snip>

Although Dooley was held to 52% of the vote in 2000 by Republican challenger Rich Rodriguez, the 20th Congressional District is essentially tailor-made for Democrats. Only one-third of the district's voters are registered Republicans, while more than half are registered Democrats.

It also is a district with a pronounced Hispanic population, a factor bound to play a big role in the race to replace Dooley. Sixty-three percent of the district's residents are Hispanic.

Among the potential candidates could be Assembly Member Sarah Reyes, former state Sen. Jim Costa and Dooley's longtime chief of staff, Lisa Quigley.

more...http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/7381098p-8302067c.html

Good riddance, I say. CA-20 voted for Gore 55%-44%, so it shouldn't be too hard to hold this seat (but not a cakewalk, either). We can easily get someone here more liberal than Dooley...in fact, it would be hard not to.

EDITed to add district number

Further EDITed to add the snips

[BayCityProgressive]

1. good

[David__77]

2. Well, Dooley better than Condit.

Dooley hasn't been a blazing progressive by any means, but he has been good for his culturally conservative district, which was made more Democratic and Latino after 2000 redistricting. Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes would be the best candidate. She's termed out in 2004 without a senate district to go to. She would fit the district well and would be marginally better than Dooley. Reyes has been as progressive as she can get away with, let's just say that.

[David__77]

3. Costa would be no good...

he'd be worse than Dooley, a real "Blue Dog."