Congressional primary heats up

By: GARY WARTH - Staff Writer
Democrats already seeing clear differences between challengers in 50th District | Thursday, March 13, 2008 11:40 PM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- What began as an informal meet-the-candidates night for Democrats in Escondido on Thursday ended with several people grilling a congressional candidate about his immigration stance and whether he truly represented his party.

"We're Democrats and we want to support you, and you're not giving us answers," one woman said to Nick Leibham, a Rancho Santa Fe attorney running for the 50th Congressional District.

Leibham faces fellow Democrat Cheryl Ede, a school psychologist from Pacific Beach, in the June 3 primary.

Ede, Leibham and other Democratic candidates appeared at the Joslyn Senior Center for the event, organized by the Escondido Democratic Club, which will decide its endorsements March 15.

Ede, 64, wore a sticker that read "We need Ede! The true Democrat." In her brief talk, she spoke about the need for public transportation, stem cell research, withdrawing troops from Iraq and other issues. She also was clear in noting differences between her and Leibham. In a questionnaire submitted by the Escondido Democratic Club, Ede was the only candidate to state that she would not endorse the primary winner if she were to lose. The winner of the primary will face Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray in the November general election.

"I do not see a difference with Nick's position (on immigration) and Bilbray's position," Ede said.

Leibham, who turns 34 in a month, said he disagreed with Bilbray's position on immigration, but inspired some impatient chatter in the crowd when he stressed that national security had to come before discussions about the path to citizenship for immigrants.

"Until you secure our borders and shores, you can't discuss those other issues," said Leibham, who has worked as a criminal law clerk at the Department of Justice and the San Diego city attorney's office as a criminal prosecutor.

Distinctions between the two congressional contenders had emerged previously.

"Word on the street is that many feel Leibham, in an effort to be electable in a highly Republican district, has moved so far to the right on key issues that he is no longer a true Democrat," wrote Escondido Democratic Club President Rick Moore in his latest newsletter to the group.

Leibham has the unofficial endorsement of the 45-member Rancho North Coast Democratic Club, said club President Patsy Cutler of Encinitas. Cutler said the club voted to endorse Leibham, but must vote again March 19 because of a protocol issue.

Cutler voted to give no endorsement, although she once had worked for Leibham's campaign.

"It's really disappointing that he's moving further and further to the right," she said about Leibham.

Progressive Democrats of America, San Diego Metro, which has more than 900 members, endorsed Ede at its Feb. 21 meeting.

"She was extremely forthright," club President Judy Hess said about Ede. "She was unapologetic about her progressive positions. She's in favor of universal health care and paper ballots. That's something we're very big on."

Candidates were asked to complete a lengthy questionnaire prepared by the national chapter of Progressive Democrats of America before the Feb. 21 meeting and were given an opportunity to speak and answer questions from club members.

Hess said Leibham did not answer many of the questions, and some of the ones he did answer did not go over well with the club. On Thursday, Leibham said he did submit answers electronically, but the club is not accurately portraying what he answered.

"I will say that the comments that were given at the meeting did not sound like a progressive at all to the members," Hess said about Leibham.

Progressive Democrats of America, San Diego North will meet later this month to consider endorsements, said Marie Jones, president of the North County group, which has 100 paid members and a mailing list of 600.

Thursday's event also was attended by Escondido City Council candidate Olga Diaz, 74th state Assembly District candidate Brett Maxfield, and 75th state Assembly District candidate Darren Kasai.

Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com.