Race to replace Tauscher may be closer than first thought

ALAMO, Calif. (KCBS) - Next week, voters in the East Bay will choose a new member of Congress. And, the race to replace Democrat Ellen Tauscher may be closer than first thought.

   Cover Story on the candidates: KCBS' Doug Sovern reports

Republican David Harmer has been hammering Lt. Governor John Garamendi in online ads, warning that the veteran Democrat will vote to raise taxes if he gets to Washington.

Garamendi, on the other hand, is trying to turn the "career politician" criticism into a positive, touting his experience in the legislature, as Insurance Commissioner, and as Lieutenant Governor.

In the September primary, Garamendi survived the attacks of his Democratic opponents, who ridiculed him for living outside the 10th Congressional District, which he's running to represent. Now, the longtime Democratic officeholder says he's proven he's the best choice to succeed Tauscher. "Everything I've spent my entire career on is happening in Washington D.C. Obama has put all of the issues on the table. He's opened the door to the possibility of change. Health care reform, climate issues, these are issues I've spent my lifetime working on," Garamendi said. "The water issues of the west, dealing with the regulation of the financial industry, I was Insurance Commissioner for 8 years regulating the biggest part of the financial industry."

Harmer, a businessman and lawyer, boils this campaign down to just one issue. "I am running for Congress because I want to stop the explosion in federal spending," he declared. "The national debt is growing out of control."

Harmer isn't conservative enough for some of the district's Republicans, but Harmer says that's why he can win over enough independent voters to beat Garamendi. "I'm in this to win. This isn't some sort of prelude to something else. We are absolutely serious about taking this seat and I think we will."

Harmer's internal polling shows him within upset distance in a district with an 18% Democratic registration advantage.

Garamendi is taking nothing for granted. "The numbers certainly trend Democratic here," he offered. "But I'm assuming it's a tough race."