Governor Sets Date for Special Election to Replace Rep. Jane Harman

Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday issued a proclamation setting May 17 as the date for a special primary election to replace Democratic Rep. Jane Harman in the 36th Congressional District.

Harman resigned from the post in February to lead the Washington, D.C.-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The governor had a Monday deadline to set the date for a special election.

The election will be held under the state's new "top two" primary system. If no candidate earns more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters – regardless of party – will face each other in a July 12 special election. The district has a majority of Democratic voters and pundits believe it's likely that a run-off election will be held between two Democratic candidates.

Secretary of State Debra Bowen, who tweeted about the special election Monday, has announced that she plans to run for the vacant seat as a Democrat.

Other Democratic candidates who have signaled their intention run include Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who has received a number of endorsements, and activist Marcy Winograd.

Republican candidates who have said they intend to run include Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin, Hermosa Beach City Councilman Kit Bobko and Hermosa Beach City Attorney Mike Webb.

At least one minor party candidate, Michael Chamness, of Venice, said he plans to run for the seat as a member of the so-called "coffee party" and has filed a lawsuit claiming that he will be at a disadvantage because he will not be able to list his party affiliation on the ballot. Under new election rules, Chamness will have to identify himself as having "no party preference" because his minor party is not recognized by the state.

All candidates who want to appear on the ballot have a March 25 deadline to file candidacy documents and filing fees, or signatures in lieu of fees.

The 36th Congressional District includes Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marina del Rely, Mar Vista, Venice, and neighboring South Bay cities.

There are 347,812 registerd voters in the 36th Congressional District with 45.28 percent registered as Democrats and 27.46 registered as Republicans and 22.27 percent saying they decline to state their party preference. The other roughly 5 percent of the electorate is composed of voters who registered with minor parties.