Huffman faces three challengers in primary for Congress seat

While Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, faces only a nominal challenge for reelection in the June 7 primary, he is leaving nothing to chance. The two-term Congressman continues to travel his lengthy district - from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border - to communicate his message to voters.

“You always have to have humility at the end of the day,” he said. “You have to reapply for your job every two years. I take nothing for granted.”

Huffman, 52, faces three primary challengers: Dale Mensing, a Republican grocery store cashier from Redway, who received 25 percent of the vote running against Huffman in 2014; Erin Schrode, a Democrat political neophyte and social entrepreneur from Mill Valley; and Matthew Wookey, a Petaluma school teacher, who is not affiliated with any political party.

The race for the 2nd Congressional District seat, which includes Petaluma, is expected to be among the least competitive of the primary season. Petaluma voters will also decide on an Assembly seat and a state Senator. In California, the top two primary vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the November election.

Huffman, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, said he would like to continue to press for local issues in Washington, despite the partisan gridlock. Federal issues he is working on that touch Petaluma include finding money to widen Highway 101, dredge the Petaluma River and complete the SMART commuter rail project; developing policy on marijuana; and improving water management in times of drought.

“In this dysfunctional political climate, we’ve still managed to get things done,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of base hits, not too many home runs. In this Congress, base hits are good.”

Huffman’s democratic challenger, Schrode, is seeking to enter politics after working as a community organizer and environmental activist. She co-founded Turning Green, an environmental advocacy and education organization, in 2005.

Besides the environment, Schrode, 25, said her key issues are women’s rights, education and foreign policy.

“The issues I feel most passionate about are at the federal level,” she said. “I did not expect to run for office, but I don’t feel like there is anything more important I can do with my life right now.”

Wookey, 39, said he began thinking about jumping into politics after the birth of his son three years ago. While he has done little campaigning or fundraising, he said he is relying on a “grassroots movement” in his first election.

The self-described centrist said he cares about the environment, education and creating jobs. He said he is appalled at the current state of politics in Washington and is seeking to change the system from within.

“I couldn’t continue to wait for a leader to come forward,” he said. “We need a Congress that works beyond the petty issues that they thrive on.”

Mensing, a Republican in the heavily democratic district, has never held public office. He did not respond to an email seeking comment.

David McCuan, a Sonoma State University political scientist, said that there is not a serious challenger to Huffman in the race.

“It’s certainly a safe district,” he said. “Huffman needs to protect his left flank from a primary challenger, but that’s just not viable at this moment. The district is solid for him.”

(Contact Matt Brown at matt.brown@arguscourier.com.)