Lantos Endorses Former Rival To Succeed Him In Congress

Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) endorsed his political rival, former state senator Jackie Speier, in the June 3 Democratic primary to succeed him in Congress.

“With her impressive record of achievement and her unique life experience, Jackie will bring to Washington all the heart and soul, muscle and grit that makes for an effective new member of the House,” Lantos said in a statement.

Lantos announced his retirement last December after he was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus.  Before his announcement, Speier was planning on challenging the 14-term congressman in the Democratic primary.

Speier officially announced she was running on Monday; her main potential challenger, state senator Leland Yee, decided not to challenge her the next day.

The endorsement from Lantos makes Speier the clear frontunner in the Democratic primary. There currently are no other Democrats that have filed to run in the primary.

Lantos’ Bay Area district is heavily Democratic, and the winner of the Democratic primary would be heavily favored in the general election.

-- Avi Zenilman