Laura Capps, daughter of longtime Rep. Lois Capps, says she is “seriously thinking about running for Congress,” one week after her mother announced she would retire from the House in 2016.
“It is a big life decision,” Laura Capps said in an email to The Santa Barbara Independent.
“It was important for me to give my mom the space and time her decision and announcement deserved,” she added. “Now that she has, I am doing due diligence and will have a decision to share soon.”
If the 42-year-old Capps decides to run, she would join Santa Barbara Supervisor Salud Carbajal and Mayor Helene Schneider, both Democrats, and Republican businessman Justin Fareed as announced candidates in the 24th Congressional District.
The district includes all of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties and a small slice of northern Ventura County. Democrats hold a 37-34 percent edge over Republicans in registered voters, with 23 percent Decline to State independents and the balance registered as small party voters.