By Neil Farrell

Congresswoman Lois Capps announced that she will retire after nearly a generation in office when her current term expires in 2016; and within hours, the Mayor of Santa Barbara announced that she is running for the still-warm seat.
Capps has represented SLO and Santa Barbara counties in the 24th District since March 1998, taking over a seat from her late husband Walter Capps, who died after just a short time in office.
Capps made the announcement in an online video that she will not seek another term in Congress.
Capps said, “When my husband Walter was elected to Congress in 1996, he was guided by the principle of Thomas Jefferson — to restore the bond of trust between the people and their government. And in his short time in office, Walter did just that.
“And after his death, I ran to continue that goal and to bring my own experiences in health care and our public schools.
“And I’m proud of the work that we’ve done together here on the Central Coast – to improve education, to expand health care, to support businesses and our veterans, to protect the environment and agriculture.
“And I have been so humbled and honored that you would trust me to be your Representative to Congress.
“But now I believe it is time for me to return home back to the community and family that I love so much. And so I am announcing that this 114th Congress will be my last, and at the completion of this term I will retire.
“It’s been a hard decision to make, for I have loved this job. I have loved serving alongside such remarkable staff, such outstanding community members, and wonderful colleagues in public service.
“But life moves on. And in the meantime, I am very much looking forward to our final 22 months together in public office. There is a lot of work to do. And I promise you that I will serve with as much energy and enthusiasm and passion on my last day in office as I had on my first.
“And I am so thankful to you for the opportunity I’ve had to represent you in Congress. And I will forever be grateful that you have allowed me to be your voice in our nation, and here on our Central Coast in California. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Within hours of Capps’ announcement to retire, Mayor Helene Schneider, a Democrat, formally entered the race to succeed her. A second term mayor, Schneider was first elected to Santa Barbara City Council in 2003 moving up to the Mayor’s seat in 2009. Her announcement rings a familiar bell.
“I am running for Congress to get things done in Washington,” she said. “We need more common sense and fewer political stalemates. During my tenure as Mayor of the City of Santa Barbara, I have focused on working with a politically diverse City Council to find common ground on policies affecting our entire community, while steadfastly defending my core values of economic opportunity, environmental protection and prudent financial stewardship.”
Her starting-gate platform sounds a lot like Capps’ stance on issues. “I plan to pursue an agenda that focuses on helping Californians reach their full potential by creating more good paying jobs, growing the middle class, advancing more progressive environmental protection policies, investing in our infrastructure and education, defending Medicare and Social Security, and ensuring equal pay for equal work for all Americans,” she said.
In the last June Primary (2014), which is an open primary in California, Capps faced eight challengers, moving on to the November Election when she won a close election over Republican Chris Mitchum, later sued Capps for defamation over a campaign attack ad that she ran.
Another of Capps’ opponents last June, Republican Justin Fareed, has said he will run again. State Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian said he is considering running, as well.