San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 6/11/12 | Carolyn Lochhead, Chronicle Washington Bureau
California voters threw a wrench Tuesday into fellow Californian Nancy Pelosi's plans.
The former House speaker from San Francisco, once third in line for the presidency and architect of the key legislation of President Obama's first term, is making a longshot bid to regain House control this year.
The minority leader was counting on California, home to an increasing number of Democratic Party voters and where new legislative district maps forced four veteran GOP lawmakers into retirement, to deliver half a dozen of the net gain of 25 seats she needs.
After the results of last week's primary election in the state, Democrats now hope to pick up four or five seats, said Jennifer Crider, deputy executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Republicans think the state will end up delivering next to nothing for Democrats.
"I think it comes out to virtually a wash in California," said Brock McCleary, deputy political director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which oversees House races.
Major disappointment
By any measure, the new "top two" primary, low voter turnout and redrawn districts produced disappointment for Democrats on Tuesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
