Rep Pete Stark (D-CA) Loses Reelection Bid (Was Only Self-Professed Atheist In Congress)

[stopbush]

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KGO) -- There's an upset in the East Bay's 15th Congressional District where Congressman Pete Stark has been ousted by fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell.

The newest member of the Bay Area congressional delegation offered no apology for unseating a veteran incumbent of his own party. Eric Swalwell, 31, unseated Democrat Pete Stark, who has served 40 years in Congress.


http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/politics&id=8876815


‘Secular’ Ariz. Democrat to replace sole atheist in Congress

By Kimberly Winston| Religion News Service, Updated: Friday, November 9, 1:30 PM

Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., the only openly atheist member of Congress, lost his race for another term on Tuesday (Nov. 6).

But secularists will not remain unrepresented in the Capitol. Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, a former Arizona state senator who was raised Mormon and is a bisexual, has narrowly won her pitch for a House seat by 2,000 votes.

“We are sad to see Pete Stark go,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, which gave Stark its Humanist of the Year award in 2008.

“He was a pioneer for us, and by being open about his lack of a belief in God we hope that he has opened the door for people like Kyrsten Sinema and others that will come after her.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/secular-ariz-democrat-to-replace-sole-atheist-in-congress/2012/11/09/a91885fa-2ab4-11e2-aaa5-ac786110c486_story.html

[ThatPoetGuy]

1. I think Synema is an atheist?

So there's still one.

Not counting Paul Ryan.

[Applan]

5. Yes but

They are still counting the vote although she is ahead last I heard. She is also openly bisexual!

[JI7]

2. Was it due to Redistricting or law allowing same party to run against each other ?

[dimbear]

3. Redistricting. Also Pete was 80 years old, should have just retired. n/t

[Codeine]

4. A recent change means that the two top vote-getters in the open primary

run for the office, regardless of party. In a neighboring district we had another instance of two Democrats running against each other, resulting in a sad loss for stalwart Joe Baca.

It's a profoundly stupid system, supposedly meant to favor "moderates" -- in what precise way I've never actually heard articulated.

[Irishonly]

7. I was surprised

Baca's loss was sad. I liked Pete Stark and received his newsletter.

[demosincebirth]

6. two top vote getters in the primary regardless of party. In Alameda county, it's always going to be

two democrats.