Feb. 3—Since he was first elected to Congress in 2012, Democrat Jared Huffman has been reelected by more than 70% of the voters.
In 2022, in Marin, he received 82.8% of the vote.
On the March 5 ballot, Huffman is seeking a seventh term.
Huffman has proven to be a hardworking representative of the 2nd District, which stretches along the coast from the Golden Gate to the Oregon border, covering Marin, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, as well as a large part of Sonoma County and Trinity County.
He gets involved and stays connected in the varying federal issues facing those counties. He champions environmental protections in Congress.
It is his diligent representation, responsive leadership and experience that makes retaining Huffman as our representative in Congress an easy recommendation.
Huffman is a stalwart supporter of stricter gun laws, immigration reform, abortion rights and conservation, including water policies.
On the 2024 primary ballot, Huffman faces four challengers — Jason Brisendine of Fortuna, Tief Gibbs of Novato, Jolian Kangas of Arcata and Chris Coulombe of Sebastopol.
His challengers don't have much political experience, but they have something to say — mostly contrary to Huffman's liberal politics.
Brisendine says he is running to end corruption in Congress, but he clicked out of his online meeting with the IJ editorial board before providing any details, possible reforms and his opinion on other issues.
Gibbs, a Novato businesswoman and a Republican, wants to give conservatives a choice in this election. She is an outspoken opponent of COVID-19 vaccine requirements and lockdowns.
She blames inflation on government's "overreaction" to the coronavirus and wants to increase oil drilling to reduce U.S. reliance on importation.
Gibbs also says the homeless problem is the result of illegal immigrants taking up housing.
Sure, there are people who agree with her, but her politics are far to the right of a large majority of Marin and 2nd District voters.
By comparison, Coulombe is a moderate Republican. He built a logistics and distribution company catering to California's fledgling cannabis industry.
He's a retired Army captain, having served 16 years.
Coulombe says he is running because he believes the U.S. is on "a steady march toward World War III." He blames President Joe Biden's handling of U.S. strategy and the lack of United Nations leadership as Middle East conflicts grow.
Among his issues, he wants to reduce the federal income and fuel taxes to improve the quality of life — "so Americans can afford to be Americans."
On the Israel-Hamas war, Huffman supports Biden's strategy and backs U.S. efforts to reach a "durable" ceasefire, one that includes release of the Oct. 7 hostages and ending Hamas control of Palestine.
Gibbs says she supports Israel's right to "self protection." She says there was more world peace when Donald Trump was in the White House.
Politically, Kangas is to the left of Huffman on many issues. He is running as an independent.
He opposes the construction of a large wind-power farm off Humboldt Bay. While Huffman has championed funding for the project, Kangas says it will hurt the ocean ecosystem.
Kangas says the war in Gaza "is not the United States' fight" and opposes U.S. funding of "forever wars overseas."
Regarding immigration, he says the U.S should charge an entry fee and issue worker visas. "There are plenty of jobs. ... Let them work."
There are plenty of differing viewpoints being expressed in this primary where the top two finishers will face off in November's election.
Rep. Jared Huffman knows the district and its politics. He reflects that knowledge representing the North Coast in Congress. He also has been effective in bringing home federal dollars for important projects, among them $400 million for seismic-safety work for the Golden Gate Bridge.
Keeping Huffman in office is the far superior choice and we recommend his bid for a seventh term on the March 5 ballot.
March election endorsements are being prepared now. Find them as they are published at marinij.com/opinion/endorsements.
(c)2024 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.