Sen. Dave Min’s drunk driving arrest continues to reverberate through the contest for the open 47th Congressional District, as Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley gives her endorsement to the other Democrat in the race, progressive activist Joanna Weiss.
“As an elected OC leader for nearly 20 years, I know unequivocally that Joanna Weiss is the most qualified, and positioned best to win this critical seat in the general election,” said Foley.
State Senator Dave Min was arrested in Sacramento early May for drunk driving. His blood alcohol level was 0.15 – nearly twice the legal limit.
While Min is still running hard, the arrest has frozen his efforts through allies to pressure Weiss out of the race.
On May 15, Weiss was endorsed by former Congressman Harley Rouda, who was initially a candidate in the race until a traumatic brain injury led him to bow out. Rouda called on Min to drop out of the race, saying that if it were a Republican candidate who was arrested for drunk driving, then Democrats would be howling for exactly that.
The initial reaction to Min’s arrest among Democrat leaders and activists was predominantly one of wait and see if it took Min down or he could weather it. But the arrest, combined with Weiss’ strong fundraising and lack of scandal, and Min’s difficult personality, have been buoying Weiss.
The California Democratic Party state convention is this weekend in Los Angeles, giving statewide Democrat s and delegates the opportunity to meet Weiss.
“People who were on the sidelines are clearly starting to trend towards Weiss, like Katrina and Cottie,” a Democratic insider told the OC Independent. “I know many people are giving her a second look, including [California Democratic Party] delegates who have been undecided.”
Former Assembly GOP Leader Scott Baugh continues the dominate the Republican side of the candidate field. Baugh came within a whisker of defeating the incumbent, Rep. Katie Porter, in 2022 despite being massively outspent. Porter has opted to run for the U.S. Senate in 2024, to succeed retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
