A number of months ago, I saw a rumor floated by the San Francisco Examiner that former state senator Jackie Speier was considering a primary challenge to incumbent Tom Lantos.
A recent telephone poll has prompted rumors of a run by former state Sen. Jackie Speier against longtime congressional incumbent Tom Lantos.
Such a race, if it occurred, would match two of the county’s political powerhouses against each other in the 2008 Democratic primary campaign. It would also probably be Lantos’ most competitive race since he was first elected in 1980, when he defeated incumbent Republican Bill Royer 46 percent to 43 percent.
At the time, I more or less dismissed it as pure speculation, but now Stuart Rothenberg today has reported the very same thing.
Meanwhile, California state Sen. Jackie Speier has been mentioned as a possible primary challenger to Rep. Tom Lantos, and Washington Rep. Brian Baird, who announced that he would vote to fund troops in Iraq, could face an anti-war primary opponent.
I don't know if Rothenberg is basing this off the February report or if he heard something new, but I still believe this is somewhat unlikely. Lantos has been around forever and would likley have Nancy Pelosi's backing. I would also think that, coming off a close loss in last year's primary for Lt. Gov., Speier does not want to risk another loss. Lantos is nearly 80 years old and surely in the twilight of his career. When he retires, the seat is Jackie's on a silver platter and I doubt she will do anything to jeopardize that. But who knows? I've been wrong before.