Democrat Ted Lieu Bucks Trend To Win Henry Waxman Seat

By JTA November 5, 2014

Democrat Ted Lieu will succeed Henry Waxman in California’s 33rd Congressional district, defeating Jewish Republican Elan Carr.

Lieu, a state senator, was heavily favored to win the seat — in the seventh most Jewish-populated district in the country — and was bolstered by the endorsement of Waxman, a revered liberal Democrat who represented the West Side of Los Angeles in Congress for 40 years.

Carr, a deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County, touted his close ties to Israel and garnered the support of mega donor Sheldon Adelson but could not overcome the district’s strongly Democratic leaning.

The race was a largely cordial affair, with both candidates pitching themselves as moderates and strong supporters of Israel. It took a vicious turn in the final week, however, when a pro-Carr Super PAC sent out mailers attempting to tie Lieu to Hamas.

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