California’s 30th District: Race Between Consensus Builders Berman and Sherman is the Most Fascinating Redistricted House Battle
by Scott Crass
This redistricting year is forcing numerous pairings of one House member against another. Some are Democratic vs. Republican matchups. Others involve incumbents whose party affiliations are the same, but whose styles are different. But the most fascinating contest and by far most expensive is taking place in the West San Fernando Valley, where two long-time and well-liked Congressmen with vastly similar philosophies are winding down what may turn out to be just Part One of a titanic struggle which will culminate with only one having a seat in the next Congress.
For many in California ’s 30th district, the choice between 15-term Congressman Howard Berman and his eight-term colleague, Brad Sherman is so difficult because the two men share so many similarities. The “Jewish Journal” goes so far as to imply that with a caption, ”Two Jews: One District.” Both are fairly hawkish members of the Foreign Affairs Committee (which Berman once chaired), and in a district with a large Jewish population, are fiercely supportive of Israel . On social issues, each have liberal bents and rarely abandon the House Democratic leadership. The pair are anything but flashy with unquestioned intelligence and a penchant for avoiding the lime light and working behind the scenes.
Indeed, if politics is like sausage making, each has shown an ability to stay in the factory, ironing out the intricacies of high profile legislation few other colleagues seem to have a desire to go near. Few could argue that if the title of most underrated members existed, both Berman and Sherman would top the list.
Berman, 71 may well be the quintessential legislator. If his challenge is to provide an aura of tranquility among a hyper-partisan institution, he succeeds with flying colors. His soft-spoken, calm demeanor makes him highly approachable to colleagues of all ideological stripes. This has led him to master the institution and deliver. He routinely forges complex language with Republicans on matters of high-profile foreign issues (Israel, Iran), patent/copyright and immigration/visa matters, His one-time role as Ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee’s Courts and Intellectual Property Subcommittee has enhanced his reputation as Hollywood’s champion, and prominent industry execs and celebrities alike have reciprocated by giving him their unambiguous backing. Several times, Berman has been tapped to serve as lead Democrat on the House Ethics Committee, an ”honor” that he says “he could do without.”
For Berman, the policy nature and respect from colleagues is far from new. It wasn’t long after his 1972 election to the California State Assembly that Berman nearly became Speaker of the body (the post ultimately went to Willy Brown, who is as legendary for ostentation as Berman is ordinary). His friendship with Henry Waxman enabled a Waxman-Berman machine, a force to be reckoned with for endorsements even on the lowest rung of west LA politics.
Sherman,58 is famously self-deprecating. A CPA, he once called himself “a recovering nerd.” and at campaign stops, often passes out combs with his picture (he’s bald). The combs would say, “you need this more than I do.” He has tended to local affairs and makes it a point that he has held over 160 town meetings in his tenure. Sherman plays an active role on Foreign Affairs as well, but has a large presence on Financial Services, where he has become known as a fierce advocate for corporate accountability. His ability to incorporate his humor with his otherwise monotone presentation can make his quips all the more quips scorching. When Alan Greenspan testified on his monetary ideals, Sherman replied that he’d like to be called by Julia Roberts (he was single at the time), but noted it was highly unlikely.
Unlike Berman, Sherman is not a natural politician. A member of the California Board of Equalization before coming to Congress, he had to cultivate a following. But his devotion to local issues has enabled him to do just that, and few can argue that he is anything but well-liked.
The contest, and animosity between Berman and Sherman and the events leading up to it have remnants of a redistricting matchup that ultimately never materialized on the east coast decades before. Steve Solarz and Chuck Schumer, both young, ambitious Brooklyn Democrats, were up’n’comers who came of age in the Vietnam War and had a 60’s idealism. Schumer worked for Solarz, then succeeded him in the New York Legislature. By 1981,both had neighboring House seats. But New York was losing multiple seats and both Solarz &Schumer amassed a massive war-chest preparing to do battle. A faceoff came to pass.
California ‘s dynamics are slightly different. Berman and Sherman seem to have no enemies, whereas many dislike Solarz and found Schumer a brash media hog. Additionally, the state is not losing a House seat but must create more Latinio majority seats. Already, Berman’s CD was majority-Hispanic,with Sherman ‘s rapidly growing in that direction. That set the impetus for the tension 10 years ago. Unlike Solarz and Schumer, Berman and Sherman were not forced with being paired(Berman’s brother Michael was the Dems.lead redistricting consultant). But the danger of acquiring more Latinos was real. When the first draft came out, Sherman’s district was made substantially more Latino, to the point that a primary challenge could’ve threatened his tenure. Sherman said Berman” stabbed me in the back. The two compromised and Berman’s district ultimately took in a Hispanic population of 37%. Sherman says that until now, that was the only tension that took place between the two.
Fast forward 10 years. Because of a voter approved redistricting referendum Berman no longer had the clout to draw his own lines and had to sit on the sidelines along with every other member of California ’s delegation awaiting their fates. And when the lines were released, Berman’s worst fears came true. His new district did contain 71% of his current constituency, but with a huge Hispanic majority population that would’ve made winning a primary a difficult task against a prominent Hispanic LA politician.
For some time after the commission released the lines, a showdown between the two was far from inevitable. Many Democrats implored Sherman to run in a Ventura County based and very Democratic leaning (but not safe)district, and cede the 30th to Berman. It’s not clear that he seriously entertained the thought and scoffs at mention of it. Indeed, Sherman, who has 58% of the new district, implied that Berman should find another district in which to run (he not so sarcastically suggested Seattle , where Dennis Kucinich at one pint had been considering running).
The money raised is of epic proportions.$4 million vs.2.5 million, though Berman’s burn-rate has been faster.
Berman secured the early backing of Governor Jerry Brown all but two of his Dem.colleagues from California (Nancy Pelosi as Minority Leader is neutral, but many view her as squarely in Berman’s column )Sherman takes a proverbial man of the people approach. He mentions his
backing from local leaders& his town meetings. To that end, he’s been critical of Berman’s PAC’s, posh fundraisers (including one hosted by George Clooney), 163 foreign junkets(Sherman just three),and a taxpayer funded car. He notes opposing the Wall Street bailout, which Berman supported.
Berman has won important union backing as well, including the influential Service Employees International. Berman argues it’s a question of clout and points to his work in bringing more cops to the valley and widening the heavily over trafficked 405 Freeway (Sheman also claims he played a role).when Sherman criticized him for sharing a limo ride with Obama, to the Clooney fundraiser on a date the House was in session. Berman’s spokesperson told Jonah Lowenfeld of the Jewish Journal that Berman’s “access…is why he has an unmatched record of accomplishments for the Valley and the world.”
None of this seems to bother the newspapers. The LA Times and “LA Daily News” have both given Berman ringing endorsements for the issue of clout. One Democratic official dubbed the races theme as”one’s home and the other isn’t.”
On that score, I think of another redistricting matchup in 2002. Appropriations barron John Murtha was challenged by his far-more junior (yet older)colleague Frank Mascara. Murtha pointed to his ability to funnel money through his legendary earmark status. Mascara complained about Murtha’s delivering in a check and disappearing, adding, “I hate that.” But Berman is no hack and his integrity is unquestioned.
If the ad war is a question, Berman may well be winning. One featured Betty White saluting Berman,adding he has”very nice blue eyes.” Rafer Johnson.also got into the mix. So have Tom Hanks, Bette Mider, and Kate Capshaw.Sherman countered by scoring Bill Clinton early on, which many(including Berman)assume is due to Sherman ‘s fierce backing of Hillary (Berman sided with Obama, albeit later in the season).
If the primary was like other years, June 8 may’ve been end of story. But with California’s new system, the top two finishers, will advance to November, regardless of party. That has breathed life into Berman’s bid for a 16th term. He is forcing Sherman accuses him of soliciting support from Republicans, and points to Berman’s backing from Democratic bogeyman Darrell Issa. Still, if that is indeed Berman’s strategy (which his camp does not deny), it may be a sound one.
There is no reason to think Sherman will be locked out of the GOP vote. But Republicans will need someone to gravitate towards, and Berman is working to convince them that it ought be him.
The district gave Obama 66% of the vote which means Polls show Berman in a close race for second place with Republican Mark Reed, but seems to be pulling away slightly, which means that June 8th would only set the stage for the battle to head into November.
One thing is certain in the matchup. Whoever wins, DC loses. When the 113th Congress convenes in Januasry, the House will be losing one of it’s most creative consensus builders.
And in an age when proclivity for compromise and solutions are sparse commodities, that is quite unfortunate.
And until more legislators with those qualities come along, it’s a loss that will set the art of legislating back even more.
Scott Crass writes: “Punditry has long been my passion and I thrive on offering non-partisan commentary on upcoming elections with historical perspectives .From Maine to Maui, no election is too obscure and there’s not a character I don’t dissect. I call the races as I see them as I see them, even if it’s contrary to what I want to see happen. And for us political junkies and then some, it’s never too early. And if you can’t tell which side I’m on, I’m doing a heck of a job. Check out my analysis on twitter.com/crasspolitical.
Candidate photos (supplied by their offices) via Canyon News