Jane Harman

U.S. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Los Angeles) and California resident Dan Reicher, director of climate change and energy initiatives at Google, are rumored to be candidates for top posts in the administration of President-elect Barack Obama, according to the Associated Press.

Two Southern California Democrats, Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton and U.S. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Los Angeles), are rumored to be candidates for Homeland Security Secretary in the administration of President-elect Barack Obama, according to the Associated Press.

SACRAMENTO - Amid a backdrop of huge budget deficits, talk about the car tax, and voter perception of dysfunctional state government, former Gov. Gray Davis was able to celebrate Monday night.

Though current statehouse conditions eerily mirror those that got Davis recalled in 2003 - and replaced with current Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger - the former Democratic state assemblyman, controller, lieutenant governor and governor bypassed an opportunity to criticize current officeholders.

The election of Barack Obama to be the United States' next president has started a flurry of speculation as to who from California might be tabbed to join his administration.

Media outlets began the guessing game Wednesday and Thursday, with most speculation focusing on names both familiar and less so.

Politico.com speculates that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) could be a potential Secretary of Energy in Barack Obama's (D) cabinet.

Five U.S. Representatives from Southern California have made Roll Call’s annual list of the 50 richest members of the U.S. Congress.

U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, whose 36th Congressional District seat encompasses the Venice area, is holding a fundraising reception for 15 Democratic House challengers Monday evening.

The event, organized by Harman’s SecureUS PAC, is taking place at the Washington headquarters of the Democratic National Committee.

Attending the event are Sam Bennett (PA-15), Charlie Brown (CA-04), Colleen Callahan (IL-18), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Jill Derby (NV-02), Parker Griffith (AL-05), Christine Jennings (FL-13), Daniel Johnson (NC-10), Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24), Bob Lord (AZ-03), Raul Martinez (FL-21), Jill Morgenthaler (IL-06), Glenn Nye (VA-02), Gary Peters (MI-09), and Annette Taddeo (FL-18).

Harman spokesman John Hess did not specify how much money would be raised at the event. Attendees will have the option of donating to the candidates through the PAC, to the candidates directly, or to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Each of the candidates benefitting are members of the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” fundraising program.

California Democrats meet this weekend in San Jose for their annual convention, with the party’s progressive wing planning to back off on their ‘07 Bush impeachment calls and focus instead on winning in ‘08, Upton Sinclair-style.