The MSM has reported that Secretary of State Debra Bowen is considering running to replace Jane Harman in the U.S. House of Representatives, who recently quit her job representing the 36th CD, based in southern and coastal Los Angeles County (see map here).
If Bowen (pictured left) runs, it raises an interesting question, first broached today by our friends at CalBuzz. The Secretary of State’s chief function, as listed on the SOS’s own website, is "serving as the state’s Chief Elections Officer." That means her/his main job is administering and overseeing all state elections. In the case of the race to succeed Jane Harman, however, it would mean that Bowen would be overseeing a stand-alone special election in which she herself could be a candidate!
What are the optics of this? Probably not great. Secretaries of State routinely administer statewide elections in which they are a candidate — e.g., SOS Bill Jones running in the 2002 Republican primary for Governor as sitting Secretary of State, appointed SOS Bruce McPherson seeking election in his own right in 2006, Bowen herself running for reelection last year — when there are multiple races across the state and hundreds of candidates involved. But at least the appearances of potential favoritism or inappropriateness for a SOS to administer a special stand-alone election for another office in which they are a candidate while still serving as SOS would plow new ground.
According to those with a deep knowledge of California political history, no one can remember any such instance in recent history where that has occurred. Looks like Bowen may have other considerations to ponder besides whether she can raise the money and put together a viable campaign on such short notice.
It is not inconceivable that there would be calls on Bowen to step down from her current office if she wants to run for this one. Do you give up what you have to possibly win a new office? It’s not like she gets to walk into Congress without a tough contest. Is that a price she would be willing to pay?
Not that Bowen is a stranger to inappropriately using her office to influence elections…