Something very interesting is happening to Northern California's Second Congressional District.
The party affiliation of registered voters in this enormous rural district, which has for years been considered a Republican stronghold, has shifted from conservative to progressive, from red to purple. Believe it or not, in some counties in the district, voter rolls are a lovely shade of blue!
Trinity County -- blue. Butte County -- blue. Siskiyou County -- purple and projected to be blue by the election. Yolo County -- purple. Yuba County -- purple. Wow!!
Voter rolls in the district from Sept 2006 - Sept 2008 showed a 5,618 net increase in combined Democratic, Green, and Peace & Freedom party registration. This is what some elections folks like to call "progressive registration." And in District 2, the progressive registration is trending upwards.
Much of this progressive registration reflects an overall trend in the nation, as people realize how bad the Bush years have been for those of us who aren't Wall Street bankers and hedge fund managers. Obama's tremendous success has, I'm sure, had an additional affect on progressive registration, as people are inspired to change parties or register for the first time as progressives. I also credit the hard work of progressive individuals everywhere who are doing simple things like talking to their neighbors about the news that doesn't make Fox and helping other people register to vote.
Regardless of the cause, since 2006, county by county, progressive registration is turning much of California's District 2 a strong hue of dark purple -- almost 50% of which has been achieved over the last 9 months. And the numbers continue to trend blue.
Speaking of blue...
It's the perfect situation for a crossover candidate like my brother Jeff Morris -- a candidate who is able to bridge the deep chasm between conservatives and progressives that has historically divided the good people of the 2nd District.
Jeff's campaign has attracted many moderate Republicans and Libertarians from the agricultural and forested areas of the district, who connect with Jeff's family history and his pioneer roots.
As an example, members of the "Republicans for Jeff Morris" group in solidly red Shasta County have been a driving force behind Jeff's campaign, providing essential connections and funding, talking about Jeff to their (often influential) friends, hosting events, and writing letters to the local newspapers. They are wise enough to ignore party affiliation and look instead for true leadership.
In Jeff they see a smart, hard-working, common-sense guy who has proved his worth as a local elected official, a candidate who understands their needs because he's been there. Jeff grew up where they grew up; Jeff's grandparents knew their grandparents; Jeff's small business faced the same tough economy that their businesses face; and Jeff's record and our family's record of public service have been visible and available in the local newspapers for years. They see how hard he works and they're crossing party lines to get him elected.
My point is that if all currently registered voters show up at the polls, Democrat Jeff Morris has a very good chance of beating Republican incumbent Wally Herger for the District 2 House seat. I'm completely frustrated by comments on this site and elsewhere asserting that this district is a lost cause and that Wally's re-election is a sure thing. The voter rolls say otherwise, as do the many moderates who are crossing party lines to stand with Jeff. This is the year that it can happen for District 2, and we need to get the word out -- there is very little time left.
California voting info here. Check your registration status here.
Go to Jeff Morris for Congress to find out how you can help elect a strong new voice for Northern California!
(cross-posted at Calitics)