Monterey Herald - Jimmy Panetta Headed to Victory in California's 20th Congressional District

News Article

By Tommy Wright

Jimmy Panetta appears headed to victory in the race to replace retiring Rep. Sam Farr in Congress, after the Associated Press called the race for the Democrat and his Republican opponent conceded.

Panetta leads Republican Casey Lucius 70 percent to 30 percent with 99 percent of precincts partially reporting.

"We're just going to continue to wait and see what happens but we're very confident," Panetta said at his election night party at Casa Munras in Monterey on Tuesday after the first results came in.

Panetta, 46, is a Monterey County deputy district attorney and decorated war veteran. He is the son of former Central Coast congressman and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

Lucius, 40, a Pacific Grove councilwoman, Navy veteran and former national security professor, conceded the election Tuesday night.

"I want to congratulate Jimmy Panetta on winning this race," she said in a statement. "I will do all I can to support him as our representative."

She said the election was an adventure she will never forget.

"No matter what the outcome is I feel really proud of the campaign that we've run and really grateful for all the people who've supported me," Lucius told The Herald before her concession.

Lucius ran as an outsider candidate who would try to work in a bipartisan way to get problems solved in Washington. She focused on bringing in federal funding for water to the district, affordable housing and passing immigration reform.

"Thank you to all my supporters throughout the Central Coast," she said. "I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity to run for office."

Parts of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara counties constitute California's 20th Congressional District.

Panetta called it humbling that so many people want him to represent the Central Coast in Congress. He said he hopes to focus on issues that affect the area such as infrastructure investment and immigration reform.

"That's making sure that we have a local economy that supports this area and continues to thrive; and supports not just the farmers but the farmworkers as well," he said.

Panetta and Lucius advanced from California's top-two primary in June, when the Democrat garnered 71 percent of the vote to the Republican's 20 percent. Farr said he had no doubt Panetta would win the election after the separation between the two finalists in the primary, while adding Lucius ran a good campaign. Farr said the politics of the district and the state are tilted in a Democrat's favor.

Farr, 75, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1993 in a special election to replace Leon Panetta in California's 17th District. Farr now represents the 20th District, thanks to redistricting. He announced his retirement last November.

Panetta said Farr leaves a legacy of service and productivity and bringing things to the district such as helping Pinnacles becoming a national park and the establishment of Fort Ord National Monument as well as helping local agriculture.

"It's definitely some big shoes (to fill). That's a little overwhelming but also inspiring in order to fill those huge shoes of Congressman Sam Farr," he said.

Farr said Panetta will pick up where he leaves off.

"I think Jimmy, with his experience from his dad and certainly if he needs any help from me, he'll have a great bench team to help him be a very effective congressman," Farr said.

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