U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, a Democrat who has been representing Palo Alto, Menlo Park and other cities in the 18th Congressional District for nearly two decades, announced Monday (Aug. 29) her plans to seek another term.
Eshoo, a Menlo Park resident who was first elected to Congress in 1992, issued a statement Monday morning (Aug. 29) declaring her intention to seek reelection in the recently redrawn 18th District. Eshoo, 68, said her priorities would remain keeping jobs in Silicon Valley and supporting technologies that will create the next generation of high-tech jobs.
"For the past 19 years, I've had the privilege of representing the exceptional people of Silicon Valley in Congress," Eshoo said in the statement. "Today, I'm announcing that I will be a candidate for reelection in the newly drawn 18th Congressional District.
"While the redistricting process shifted some cities out of the district that I have represented for decades and added new ones, my work has always had its roots in our regional strengths and needs, and those will not change."
Her new district continues to include Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, Los Altos and other cities between Redwood City and San Jose. It also now includes Los Gatos, Campbell and several neighborhoods in San Jose.
Eshoo currently serves on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee and on the Energy and Commerce Committee. She has been a staunch advocate of improving and expanding the nation's Internet infrastructure and a proponent of "net neutrality," a policy that prohibits Internet Service Providers from restricting access.
Eshoo also introduced a bill last month that would make $250 million available to state and local governments to upgrade 9-1-1 centers to "next generation" technologies.
Eshoo also emerged last year as a leading proponent of a "blended" rail system under which high-speed rail and Caltrain would share tracks on the Peninsula. Eshoo joined state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, and state Assemblyman Richard Gordon, D-Menlo Park, last year in proposing such a system.
"This is no time to stand down or step back," Eshoo said in her statement. "For those of us who believe government can be a source of solutions and a vehicle for progress, we must make it so.
"I will use all that I've accomplished and learned to meet that responsibility."
Comments
Old Palo Alto
on Aug 29, 2011 at 11:05 am
on Aug 29, 2011 at 11:05 am
20 years or so is long enough regardless of her positions.
Let's try someone new with fresh ideas.
Greenmeadow
on Aug 29, 2011 at 11:30 am
on Aug 29, 2011 at 11:30 am
Since she is 68, isn't it time for someone younger people to start moving into Congress. I really don't care if the new person is a Democrat or Republican, it's time for some new blood with new ideas.
Stanford
on Aug 29, 2011 at 11:51 am
on Aug 29, 2011 at 11:51 am
Anna Eshoo has been an outstanding representative of our area. She's respected by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle, she communicates well with her constituents, and she knows how government works, an attribute that has become increasingly rare in the House of Representatives. As a friend put it, she's a work horse, not a show horse. I'm proud to have her as my congress person.
Stanford
on Aug 29, 2011 at 12:11 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 12:11 pm
I wil vote for anyone who runs against her.
Crescent Park
on Aug 29, 2011 at 12:12 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 12:12 pm
It's time for a change here; new representation is needed.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Aug 29, 2011 at 12:17 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Two more years of ineptitude, and know-nothingness. Good lord!
For a town that has elevated "education" to a near religion, to send this poorly educated person (not even a BS) to Washington to represent this portion of the Silicon Valley demonstrates how little education real means to the voters of this district.
In terms of legislation, what can this woman show for 18 years of attendance in the House?
Time For A Change!
Adobe-Meadow
on Aug 29, 2011 at 12:27 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 12:27 pm
the weirdos go nuts but they know they have no one who can challenge her
"For a town that has elevated "education" to a near religion, to send this poorly educated person (not even a BS) to Washington to represent this portion of the Silicon Valley demonstrates how little education real means to the voters of this district."
maybe they can get yale grad george w bush to run against her since diplomas show how smart someone is
too bad apple didn't have a stanford mba running it all these years instead of that lowlife dropout
Midtown
on Aug 29, 2011 at 2:03 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 2:03 pm
This time I am not voting for her, after she has walked in lockstep with Obama and the Republicans, maintaining the Bush tax cuts. Enough is enough with all those "fake" democrats.
College Terrace
on Aug 29, 2011 at 4:03 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I agree it's time for a change. She voted for the Wall Street Bailout, Stimulus, Obamacare and bonuses for Wall Street firms. Her Obamacare vote included a $500 billion cut in Medicare. She voted for both wars. I want another Democrat to challenge her, which I understand is possible because we're switching to an open primary.
(One more thing -- I don't want to be mean, but when I've seen her speak, I didn't get the impression she was very well educated or very smart. Turns out she doesn't even have a four-year degree, just an "associates degree" from a community college. For a district like this, I think we can do better.)
Barron Park
on Aug 29, 2011 at 4:18 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 4:18 pm
She does a wonderful job representing Silicon Valley big business (which includes Stanford), and isn't that what is really important?
We could use a real progressive Democrat.
Monroe Park
on Aug 29, 2011 at 4:33 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 4:33 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Adobe-Meadow
on Aug 29, 2011 at 4:35 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 4:35 pm
"Her Obamacare vote included a $500 billion cut in Medicare."
That cut was to medicare PLUS, which was corporate welfare for private insurance companies. That vote eliminated public medicare money from going to private insurers thus reducing waste and fraud, strengthening the system.
You spewed a right wing talking point with that medicare line
Stimulus included the largest middle class tax cut in history - $350 billion - are you against that?
education? see the above comment. She is smarter than Tricky Dubya Perry.
If Perry runs against the president, you'll vote for the smartest one, the harvard law degree guy, right?
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Aug 29, 2011 at 6:02 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 6:02 pm
> but when I've seen her speak, I didn't get the impression
> she was very well educated or very smart.
When Eshoo first ran for Congress, she ran against Tom Campbell, who taught Law School at Stanford at the time. They held at least one debate, which was broadcast on the local cable system. She was almost unable to speak coherently. Campbell basically wiped the floor with her. No, he did wipe the floor with her.
Sadly, there have been no Republicans, or Independents, that have been recruited to run against this poor excuse of a "politician".
Fairmeadow
on Aug 29, 2011 at 6:08 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 6:08 pm
At 68 Eshoo should retire and do some volunteer work as a hobby. Let someone new have a chance at the job. We need a younger and better educated person as a congressperson.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Aug 29, 2011 at 6:14 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 6:14 pm
I think that Congresswoman Eshoo should be applauded for donating $250 million of her own money to the state and local governments. Wait a minute, upon reading it more carefully, it appears that it's not her money she's spending, it's ours. We therefore need Congress to pass a law requiring that Congresswoman Eshoo put her money where her mouth is.
Midtown
on Aug 29, 2011 at 10:20 pm
on Aug 29, 2011 at 10:20 pm
To all you education freaks....education doesn't equal intelligence
Registered user
Barron Park
on Aug 30, 2011 at 8:16 am
Registered user
on Aug 30, 2011 at 8:16 am
Yeah! Anna. Thank you so much for serving our country and state for so long. Keep it up!
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Aug 30, 2011 at 9:33 am
on Aug 30, 2011 at 9:33 am
How disgraceful to have only earned an AA degree! No doubt Anna Eshoo has been completely unable to benefit from her 18 years of Congressional experience because of this appalling lack of a BA. And to vote in support of the notion that the richest nation in the world should improve health care for more of its less well-off citizens--for shame, Anna Eshoo!
It's time for a change. Let's find a freshly-minted graduate of a prestigious college with brand new ideas about how the world should be run, and send him--or even her--off to the House of Representatives to begin to learn the ropes. Who needs seniority, experience, and a proven record of helping this district and its citizens?
Professorville
on Aug 30, 2011 at 2:22 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 2:22 pm
20 years is much too long in this job. She should retire.
But if she is re-elected, at least she'll be in the House minority where she won't be able to inflict the same kind of damage on the country that she did in her 2007-2009 and 2009-2011 terms.
Adobe-Meadow
on Aug 30, 2011 at 2:59 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Barry: You are right, 20 years is too long.
Newt Gingrinch promised term limits back in 94 - what happened? Call these guys and ask:
boehner 21 years in office
macconnell 26 years in office
cantor 6 terms
john kyl 5 terms rep, made term limit pledge, then has been in senate for 15 years. Good pledge, that one.
Tell us how your calls go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaker John A. Boehner (R-OH) 202-225-6205
Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) 202-225-2815
Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) 202-224-4521
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) 202-224-2541
another community
on Aug 30, 2011 at 4:23 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Once they get in it's almost impossible for someone else to run against these permanent incumbents. A significant fallacy of our political system that virtually creates a "House of Lords" on our shores.
Midtown
on Aug 30, 2011 at 5:44 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 5:44 pm
"It's time for a change. Let's find a freshly-minted graduate of a prestigious college with brand new ideas about how the world should be run, and send him--or even her--off to the House of Representatives to begin to learn the ropes. Who needs seniority, experience, and a proven record of helping this district and its citizens?"
That sounds awful lot like our sitting president.
Midtown
on Aug 30, 2011 at 5:56 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 5:56 pm
We need some fresh ideas and some fresh blood.
Politicians should serve no more than 2 terms--like the POTUS.
It is time for her to go and let fresh talent and ideas thrive.
Adobe-Meadow
on Aug 30, 2011 at 6:17 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Sharon: "Politicians should serve no more than 2 terms"
Like these guys? boehner 21 years in office, macconnell 26, cantor 6 terms, john kyl 25 years
The hypocritical party promised term limits. That's why you voted or the gop in 94, didn't you? Any thoughts?
Feel like you've been used all these years?
Midtown
on Aug 30, 2011 at 6:55 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Republican or Democrat --2 terms is enough.
Congress has a 80%+ disapproval rating by voters.
Throw the bums out out and lets get some young fresh ideas.
Trial Lawyers, AIPAC and the NRA have corrupted our Democracy
Enough is enough.
Midtown
on Aug 30, 2011 at 8:12 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 8:12 pm
After learning about this woman, I have decided that I will NOT support her. She voted for that messy "Obamacare" legislation WITHOUT even reading it.
Does anyone know who will be running against her?
Midtown
on Aug 30, 2011 at 8:14 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 8:14 pm
BTW, there are many other reasons why she hasn't gained my vote. They are too plentiful to list here.
However, I did research her votes and views. Needless to say, she is one of the reasons that this area has swung to the extreme Left of the political spectrum.
Surely there is a highly educated and capable moderate who can represent us better and restore sanity to Washington!
Barron Park
on Aug 30, 2011 at 9:33 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Hello reporters. Who else of note is in the new district? Speier? Do some homework. Don't just print press releases.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Aug 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm
on Aug 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm
I find Congresswoman Eshoo intelligent and thoughtful, often on the right side of history, hardworking and truly engaged with our district. Politics is messy, I wouldn't want to do it. I don't always agree with her, and when I do write about it, I feel I have a better chance of being heard by her office than by other people who represent me (of my political persuasion and not).
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Aug 31, 2011 at 8:06 am
on Aug 31, 2011 at 8:06 am
Nayeli, it's amazing that you think that Eshoo votes on the extreme left of the political spectrum. Only someone brainwashed by our country's right wing could make such an assertion.
Ah-Choo, it's time to sharpen your wit so you won't look like a fool. Barack Obama, a former law school professor, is hardly a "newly-minted graduate." It is true that he did have some new ideas, and also that his government experience was limited, but you look ridiculous when you deliver half a zinger.
Charleston Gardens
on Aug 31, 2011 at 8:11 am
on Aug 31, 2011 at 8:11 am
"Throw the bums out out and lets get some young fresh ideas."
That is up to the individual voters in each representatives district. Not for Sharon to decide
"Trial Lawyers, AIPAC and the NRA have corrupted our Democracy"
Leave it to Sharon to slip in another negative about Israel/Jews
I plan to vote for Eshoo. She is a good representative
Menlo Park
on Aug 31, 2011 at 12:18 pm
on Aug 31, 2011 at 12:18 pm
"she is one of the reasons that this area has swung to the extreme Left of the political spectrum. "
This area is a great area. I don't consider our district extreme at all. There are, however, a few extremists posting on this thread, like those who claim everyone else in this district is extreme.
Nayali: just because you're out on the fringe, that doesn't make everyone else extreme the other way.
Want proof? How many tea baggers are elected to office from Northern California? Doesn't that make them the extremists?
Registered user
Midtown
on Sep 2, 2011 at 3:57 am
Registered user
on Sep 2, 2011 at 3:57 am
Yes, Tea Party members ARE extremists in California. Pity.
Adobe-Meadow
on Sep 2, 2011 at 11:55 am
on Sep 2, 2011 at 11:55 am
Eshoo strikes again. Trying to bring the moderate over to see the light on the left.
anti-union folk ought to love this rule.
from the front page Web Link
"Open-government advocates also are asking why Obama, who promised to be "the most open and transparent" president ever, hasn't adopted the order. They say it would allow the public to see how corporations and labor unions influence the federal contracting process.
Such a move could blunt the power of a year-old Supreme Court decision that has allowed corporations and labor unions to make unlimited, anonymous contributions to independent groups that run political advertisements."
Midtown
on Sep 5, 2011 at 11:30 pm
on Sep 5, 2011 at 11:30 pm
@ sc extreme:
You are calling ME extreme? You are calling ME brainwashed?
Yikes! That is like a wildfire complaining about 78 degree weather as "too warm."
:-P
This district -- compared with the rest of America -- has meandered to the furthest extreme of the "Left" in the political spectrum. While it certainly deserves the politicians who are elected, it is far from "moderate."
While Anna Eschoo & Local Co. may have an easy time getting elected by the leftist base here, you need no greater proof to how "fringe" it is in America than when nearly every Democrat in office desperately attempts to appeal to Moderates simply to get elected or even win a state. Barack Obama knows that he has no chance of winning unless a large portion of Moderates opt for him over any of his opponents.
BTW, Barack Obama was no more a "Law School Professor" than any other person is a "professor" for teaching part-time at a university for several years. Mr. Obama taught first year students PART-TIME -- one class per quarter -- for three out of four quarters each year. That is hardly a "Law School Professor." Graduate Teaching Assistants have more teaching experience!
Besides, Part-Time Lecturer Obama hardly had any experience in the courtroom anyway. He was a legal theorist who never wrote a court brief despite working with a firm.
But this isn't about Obama (another time, another place). It is about a local "representative" for this area who just lacks the fortitude to get many productive things accomplished.
Menlo Park
on Sep 6, 2011 at 10:31 am
on Sep 6, 2011 at 10:31 am
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Insert "republican candidate" in place of Barack Obama and it shows the ridiculousness of the statement. Both sides need the middle. Tea baggers are just the extreme 15% of the Republican base, they can't elect anyone by themselves - just look at what they did for the left and dead-man-walking Harry Reid. A gift for the left by running tea bag whacko Sharon Angle was the ONLY way for Reid to return.
Regarding law school - who is the most educated GOP candidate? Michelle Bachman used her law degree to be a lawyer while working at the IRS as a tax collector. Is she "smarter" than the president?
"This district -- compared with the rest of America -- has meandered to the furthest extreme of the "Left" in the political spectrum."
No, it hasn't. There are much further left. Kucinich, Barbara Lee, Sanders in the senate, etc..
Why can't a Republican hold a national seat in the Bay Area? This district isn't even the furthest left in this area!
So you blast the president, as asked above, who's your favored candidate? Perry, the tax collector Bachmann, the pizza guy, Ron Paul?
I'm sure you love Mitt's wild swing to the right extreme this last week.
Midtown
on Sep 6, 2011 at 2:09 pm
on Sep 6, 2011 at 2:09 pm
@ sc extreme:
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
I wasn't questioning the intelligence of the president. I was simply rebutting the notion that he was a "Law School Professor" for having taught a single class per semester. There is a difference. Now, I don't wan't to compare Obama's or Eschoo's intelligence or education to other candidates. People can view Obama as the end all of intelligence, but that is quite debatable. Yet that is neither here nor there (at least in terms of this topic). I simply made a remark about the claim that Obama was a "Law School Professor" when he was not. He was a part-time lecturer for first year students in one class per semester.
You need to wake up to the fact that Liberals represent just 18% of the nation -- so they must depend upon Moderates to obtain power. Unfortunately for us, we live in a district where Liberals truly believe they are representative of the majority of Americans and where Moderates are often dismissed as being firmly under the power of the Right Wing.
Menlo Park
on Sep 6, 2011 at 2:38 pm
on Sep 6, 2011 at 2:38 pm
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Democrats have a higher voter registration over Republicans, nationally. Ask any pollster. Even fox ran their polls in 2008 to reflect a 41/34 advantage for Democratic registrations. Web Link
Gallup has it: "As of 2010, Gallup polling found that 31% of Americans identified as Democrats, 29% as Republicans, and 38% as independents."
Saying that either party can be elected without the soft squishy middle is as dumb as announcing that the sun rises every morning - we all know that. To announce that one candidate is aware of that and use it to bash his intelligence, his tenure at a law school or in an attempt to paint him as extremist is ridiculous.
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
The interesting part is that you don't seem to mind the republican primary candidates pandering to the extreme part of the republican base, now called the tea party.
It will be great fun to see the eventual winner waffle back to the middle to claim moderates. If it's Mitt, that will set up the great triple flip flop.
To return to the thread, who do you like who has a chance to be beat by Eshoo?
and you didn't answer this, in the republican presidential primary: "as asked above, who's your favored candidate? "
Midtown
on Sep 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm
on Sep 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@ sc extreme:
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
As for voter registration: So what? That isn't in discussion here. Besides, voter identification has little to do with political, social or economic identity. Every poll shows that Liberals are greatly outnumbered (equally) by Moderates and Conservatives, but that Liberals are the major "base" of the modern DNC. AS for ideology: Ideological makeup, on average, is 18% Liberal, 41% Moderate and 41% Conservative.
What is wrong with that picture?
How is it that the DNC must rely (and rightfully so) upon Moderates -- but that those "Moderates" aren't a part of their base? Rather, the party is now ruled by Liberals who make concessions to Moderates in order to obtain their votes. This is a stark contrast with the Republicans. Conservatives constitute approximately 40% of population, so they are the base and main grouping of the Republican Party. They only need 10% of the votes of Moderates to obtain a majority.
Still, this is all beside the point, except that it shows that our district is certainly outside of mainstream America and increasingly so.
I am NOT a Republican. In many areas, I am Conservative while in other areas I am Liberal. So, I consider myself a Moderate (even though I suspect that you don't believe it). And, of course, I would use the same primer to evaluate ANY candidate -- Republican or Democrat.
BTW, to call the Tea Party the "base" of the Republican Party is as silly as saying that high taxers are the "base" of the Democratic Party. The Tea Party, as I understand it, is nothing more than a subset of voters -- from various party affiliations -- who believe in fiscal responsibility. Despite a few loudmouths using the media in an attempt to paint them as "radical extremists" or "racists" (so incredibly silly), they are just a group of voters who have just as much a right to share their views on fiscal responsibility as you or I do. For the most part, they are only loosely organized anyway. The various "Tea Party" groups are independent...and I would hardly call them "dangerous" or "fringe" despite the attempts by Liberals to do so.
As for your final question: I don't have a favorite. I realize that Anna Eschoo will likely win yet another term...which I think is a waste for our area. We are the district of Stanford and the heart of ingenuity in the world. With no offense intended toward Ms. Eschoo (because I think that she is a nice and sincere woman), I just can't help but question whether this is the best that we can get to represent us in Washington.
Menlo Park
on Sep 6, 2011 at 4:53 pm
on Sep 6, 2011 at 4:53 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Midtown
on Sep 6, 2011 at 5:29 pm
on Sep 6, 2011 at 5:29 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]