Political stars coming out as House races in state heat up

As races for House seats heat up in the closing weeks before the Nov. 4 elections, some big political stars from both major parties are lending their names in California contests.

On Monday, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a former GOP nominee for president, endorsed gang prosecutor Elan Carr, a first-time candidate waging an uphill battle for a congressional seat centered in Los Angeles’ Westside.

As a Republican in a strongly Democratic district, Carr is given long odds by most observers despite his first-place finish in the crowded primary. His opponent in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) is the more politically experienced and better-known state Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance).

But that hasn’t stopped McCain and, earlier, Mitt Romney, another former presidential contender, from lending their names to Carr’s effort. McCain said Carr “represents the next generation of leadership for our nation, and I am proud to endorse him for Congress.”

On the Democratic side, Vice President Joe Biden will be featured at a cocktail reception in Los Angeles next week, along with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco. The event, to be held Monday evening at the home of Ann and Jim Gianopulos, will include a performance by singer-songwriter Carole King.

The event is billed as a fundraiser for Democratic female House candidates, according to the invitation, a copy of which was obtained by The Times on Monday. Tickets start at $2,500.

Proceeds will go to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is not limited to spending the money on female candidates. Two Democratic women are candidates in the handful of hotly contested House races in the state: Rep. Julia Brownley of Westlake Village, who is being challenged by Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo), and Amanda Renteria, a former top aide to a U.S. senator, who is taking on Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) in a Central Valley district.

The DCCC has supported both their campaigns. Biden will appear later next week at a rally for Renteria in Bakersfield.

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