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Danville Republican Gears Up for Run Against Feinstein
Emken is "definitely in," her campaign consultant says, becoming the incumbent's first GOP challenger.
Elizabeth Emken, a 2010 Republican congressional candidate and a national advocate for children with autism, has launched a campaign for Dianne Feinstein's U.S. Senate job.
Emken has created a website asserting that voters want a new senator because they believe the current incumbent has failed. "Now, more than ever, America needs a new direction in Washington," Emken, 48, says on her website.
The Oakland Tribune reports Emken also has formed a campaign committee and hired campaign staffers. Her campaign consultant Tim Clark told the Sacramento Bee that "she's definitely in."
Emken finished fourth out of four in the 2010 GOP primary for the House seat held by incumbent Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton.
Emken said she left corporate America after her son, now 19, was diagnosed with autism. She most recently served as vice president of governmental relations for Autism Speaks, a national nonprofit organization that bills itself as the cause's largest U.S. advocacy group.
Feinstein consultant Bill Carrick downplayed Emken's challenge in an interview with the Bee, saying her showing in the congressional race shows she probably won't be able to "make the transition to a statewide race."
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Tim
11:36 am on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
I wish her the best but her chances fall somewhere between slim and none. If the Republicans couldn't knock off the the arrogant dwarf senator, aka Boxer, then they have zero chance against Frankenfeinstein.
Kirsten Branch
12:46 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Normally, I would be apt to agree with your assertion...BUT, there is an interesting dimension to this race that hasn't been in prior...money. As you might recall, key state democrats may have some money flow problems due to the recent embezzlement scandal: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/22/us-campaign-california-fraud-idUSTRE79L1S120111022. It will be interesting to see how that might affect them, and those who are challenging.
Bud Daily
3:35 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
There is no possible way a Republican can win an election for U.S.Senator in the present political climate in California. There's an old political adage that goes "the only way you can lose is to get caught with a live boy or a dead girl". This applies only to male politicians,but nonetheless makes my point. Diane Feinstein is too powerful & too entrenched to lose to any conceivable challenger,much less one who came in fourth in a race to lose to Jerry McNerney. The people of California rejected Republican values & ideals winning every statewide office handily in 2010. Legalized marijuana got more votes than Meg Whitman & she spent $160 million dollars on her campaign. Feinstein has name recognition that doesn't require her to spend vast amounts on her campaign & as an overwhelming favorite will have little difficulty raising the funds necessary to mount a winning effort. While I disagree with her stance on marijuana legalization (she's against it) there's no conceivable way Diane can lose to a political neophyte like Elizabeth Emken. My prediction is that in the unlikely event that her campaign gains any traction she'll ultimately get lost in a large field of better known Republican candidates & never get an opportunity to challenge Feinstein.I predict "failure" & plenty of it for this & any other conservative candidates especially in a Presidential election year. I'd wish you best of luck,but I doubt that would be much help in the situation you've interjected yourself into.
Dan
9:28 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
This is a real dilemma on who to vote for, is it Orly Taitz or Ms Emken
Ron
10:39 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
It would be wonderful to see a new face in this senate seat. Senator Feinstein really needs to retire and soon, but she has a ton of money, and a good following. I am not sure the Democrats will want this seat to disappear, so they'll probably support Feinstein's re-election to the max. Also, if the Republicans think this is a good race to support, that will certainly make a difference. Additionally, if a "wave" of Obama discontent hits CA, we could see some atypical elections here in '12, especially if what Kirsten says is accurate and Feinstein doesn't have a war-chest from which to draw. Elizabeth is a great lady and would serve the state very well.