Ethics Tremor Makes California GOP Rep. Lewis’ Pedestal a Little Wobbly

[maddezmom]

Published: May 11, 2007
California Republican Rep. Jerry Lewis was sitting pretty when his 2006 bid for a 15th House term began. With his party then in the majority, Lewis was chairing the powerful Appropriations Committee. And with his re-election deemed certain in the strongly Republican 41st District, which covers most of San Bernardino County and is east of Los Angeles, Democrats had made little effort to recruit a strong challenger.

As a result, Lewis had a safety zone, and Democrats were ill-prepared, when the incumbent suddenly found himself on the defensive last year over reports that a federal grand jury was looking into Lewis’ professional relationship with former California Republican Rep. Bill Lowery, a lobbyist and close friend who hired several Lewis aides and their relatives while seeking favors in spending bills.

Lewis, who adamantly declared his innocence, took 67 percent of the vote, breezing to victory over Democrat Louis Contreras, an insurance salesman and political unknown. But Lewis, whom federal prosecutors have said is not currently a target of their probe, is nonetheless still being hectored by Democrats who portray him as ethically challenged.

And at least one Democrat who could be taken more seriously than most of Lewis’ past opponents, attorney and party activist Tim Prince, told CQPolitics.com he is “strongly considering” challenging the congressman in 2008. Prince said he will enter the race if he can prove he has a “good chance of winning,” and plans to travel to Washington, D.C., later this month to further assess his prospects.

more:http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/05/11/cq_2714.html