U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson: A 'virtual shoo-in' for reelection

We have so many members of Congress in California that they often escape media coverage.  That said, I thought I'd learn a little about Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) (pictured, left), and pass it on. Richardson has denied press reports this week that she lost her Sacramento home to foreclosure.

--She's a Sen. Hillary Clinton supporter. She endorsed Clinton in September.

--She likes the Realtors, and they like her. She filed financial disclosure forms with the House Ethics Committee reporting the National Assn. of Realtors flew her to Las Vegas in November to help swear in the new president of the association, Realtor Dick Gaylord of Long Beach.

--In suggested remarks* at the NAR gathering, also filed with the House, Richardson's script read: "I might be one of the newest members of Congress but I am not a new member of the REALTOR Party. When I needed help to win a tough primary, REALTORS stood up and backed me even though I was the underdog."

--Real estate industry professionals have given her $39,500 in campaign contributions in the current election cycle, according to Open Secrets. Various unions really like her: they've given her $153,000 this cycle, according to Open Secrets.

--She won her seat in a special election last year after the incumbent, Juanita Millender-McDonald, died.

--Her district, the 37th, includes Compton, Carson, and parts of Long Beach.

--She faces a primary challenge on June 3 from Democrats Lee Davis and Peter Mathews, but their combined vote total in last year's 16-person Democratic primary was just 4%, and her hometown paper, the Long Beach Press-Telegram, has called her "a virtual shoo-in for re-election based on last year's Democratic primary results."

* It is not clear whether Richardson actually delivered the prepared remarks she filed with the House. Her office has not responded to questions regarding the trip.
Photo: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Big T]

I'm writing NAR today and asking for my due$ back -- lobbyists setting a bad example, imagine that.

[JK]

I dunno, seems like small potatoes compared to what other members of Congress get away with... I say leave her alone.

[CD]

Ok, Now we are getting somewhere, I smell a rat and dirty laundry.Good journalistic investigation Sherlock Holmes !!!!Lets Email our State Attorney,lets bring her to his attention. YUMM YUMMM.....This is good.

[Lou]

This is going to sound bad but I don't think people in her district will look upon this as a negative. It actually might help her since she probably now has a lot in common with the people in her district.

[CD]

Lou
What do you mean Lou, everyone in her district behaves badly so our expectations should be very very low...?
That is a bit strange no?

[Uncle Bill Climbs Mont Pelerin]

Agreed! Good digging Clark Kent.

Weren't we promised another statement today?

JK: agreed that there are much bigger fish to fry, but I have a feeling that if we mull over this one a bit, she will lead us to the bigger ones.

[Jim]

I don't understood the fuss. Say she walked away from her home. So what? She did an economically rational thing. Does that disqualify one from running for Congress?

[rick danger]

This is not the only home that Mrs. Richardson might walk away from, she refinanced her Long Beach home in June of 2006 for $446,250. Zillow's estimate was $465000.

[buz]

It is true that her district will probably look positively on her "pulling one on The Man" and avoiding responsibility. We can only hope her credit gets wrecked and she is forced to live in an apartment in her district.

[JK]

Uncle Bill: agreed that there are much bigger fish to fry, but I have a feeling that if we mull over this one a bit, she will lead us to the bigger ones.

JK: She hasn't been there long enough to lead us to anyone. I'm not in her district but this is something I would think about. Her district consists of Blacks and Mexicans. They will immediately see this as White men get away with millions and the "powers" that be are coming down on a Black woman just because she couldn't pay her mortgage? That will motivate them to vote for her even moreso.

What's to be gained from hounding her? She's not going to talk to the press and tell them what they want to hear. She will have a canned response and that will lead where? Quite honestly, I feel the same way. She stiffed the banks, so what? How many people have the banking executives stiffed? Let's compare.

[Mark]

"This is going to sound bad but I don't think people in her district will look upon this as a negative. It actually might help her since she probably now has a lot in common with the people in her district."

This is so true...her constituents are the same truth deniers who know deep in their heart that OJ was guilty of murder, but will never publicly admit it as their way of "sticking it to the man".

I wouldn't be surprised if Al Sharpton held a march to support her.

[Uncle Billy]

JK: she didn't stiff the banks, she stiffed us. Laura, the originators, and the banks made their money and left you holding the bag. I'll bet you you 10 realtors that her lenders did not keep her loans. As for voter backlash - they won't have much to vote for if we expose her fraud and keep her out of the running.... right?