Staff Reports
California Democrat Gil Cisneros, a former House member, is making a comeback, and boy, is he on a roll! After losing in 2020, he’s back on track to return to Congress, and his victory in the March 5 primary puts him in the lead for the eastern San Gabriel Valley 31st Congressional District seat. This district, east of downtown Los Angeles, is packed with suburban hotspots and early- and mid-20th century homes that are often featured in TV shows and movies. Talk about some prime real estate!
It looks like things are lining up pretty well for Cisneros, with a solid lead in the primary and a largely Latino House district. Plus, he’s got the Democratic advantage, with a 65%-33% lead for President Joe Biden over former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. With these odds, Cisneros is practically guaranteed a win in November.
Art of the congressional comeback: Ex-lawmakers are having better luck than usual in return bids https://t.co/4uu06wo0Qg via @dcexaminer
— Mike (@Michael10180105) March 22, 2024
But let’s not forget about Cisneros’s rollercoaster journey. He won big in the 2018 Democratic wave year, then stumbled in 2020, losing to Republican Young Kim in a rematch. But now, he’s back and ready to take on the political fray once more. With Rep. Grace Napolitano retiring after 26 years, it’s Cisneros’s time to shine in this safely blue district.
Now, let’s take a look at some other former House members making a comeback. There’s former Rep. Mayra Flores, a Texas Republican, who’s striving for redemption after a short-lived stint in Congress. And then there’s former Rep. Trent Franks, an Arizona Republican, who’s aiming for a return to the western suburbs of Phoenix. This guy’s had his fair share of controversy, but he’s not letting that stop him from diving back into the political arena.
And how about former Rep. John Hostettler of Indiana, who’s making a play for the southwestern Indiana 8th Congressional District? This red redoubt that heavily favored Trump over Biden is the perfect battleground for Hostettler’s comeback campaign. Not to mention, he’s got some strong words on federal spending and border security that are sure to make waves.
We can’t forget about former Rep. Mondaire Jones, a New York Democrat who’s taking a second shot at the political spotlight. It’s no easy feat, but Jones is determined to rise from the ashes of defeat and challenge freshman Rep. Mike Lawler in the Lower Hudson Valley 17th Congressional District. And last but certainly not least, we’ve got former Rep. Denny Rehberg, a Montana Republican with an eye on the Eastern Montana 2nd Congressional District. With a colorful past and a knack for political drama, Rehberg is bringing his A-game to the Republican primary.
With these former House members making a comeback, it’s shaping up to be a wild and unpredictable political season. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure — it’s going to be one heck of a showdown!
