WOODLAND HILLS—Two established democratic incumbents find themselves facing each other in June 2012 in a Democratic primary to represent the newly redrawn 30th congressional district in California’s San Fernando Valley. The district was redrawn as a result of the national census that is taken once every decade. The redrawing was done by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, a nonpartisan group that determined it was unnecessary for two districts that were represented respectively by Rep. Brad Sherman and Rep. Howard Berman to cover different portions of San Fernando Valley.

Brad Sherman. Photograph courtesy of Edward Headington

Rep. Howard Berman, who is the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, believes that his support of Israel and position as a staunch supporter of immigration reform will garner him the support from the Jewish and Latino voting bloc that make up the newly redrawn voting district. Berman has also taken a strong stance toward the issue of intellectual property rights, endearing him to the Hollywood elite, an area he feels will play well with lots of voters who depend on the film industry for their livelihood. Berman hopes to take advantage of this relationship for fundraising purposes, as he trails in campaign funds, reportedly raising about $1.5 million in cash, a third of that being raised in the current election cycle. Among his major contributors are media businesses such as Time Warner Inc., Viacom, and the Motion Picture Association of America as well as labor unions that work in media such as the Directors Guild of America and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Due to his Washington ties, he has obtained endorsements from Gov. Jerry Brown, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and longtime ally Rep. Henry Waxman.

Berman with Mayor Villaraigosa. Photo courtesy of Howard Berman's official website

Rep. Brad Sherman, an attorney and CPA, is receiving a bulk of his support from local businesses, namely real estate interests, as well as law firms and CPAs. Sherman has built up a war chest of nearly $3.7 million, raising nearly $1 million in the current election cycle, $500,000 of that coming from capital gains. It is reported that he has been able to build up such funds by spending minimally on re-election campaigns. Running virtually unopposed since 1996, Sherman boasts endorsements from such key figures as former President Bill Clinton, California’s Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Congressman John Conyers and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. Sherman also has the support of a varying degree of political and community leaders including Persian American Jews and Sikhs, Latinos and members from various area neighborhood councils, according to his official campaign website.