Julie Bornstein

U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Springs) voted for the $700 emergency rescue package Monday and blamed House Democrats for the bill's failure.

"This represents a failure of leadership by the House Majority," Bono Mack said in a statement, "and I am saddened that politics came before the needs of the American people."

Julie Bornstein, the Democratic candidate for Congress in California's 45th district, has repeatedly requested, to no avail, an opportunity to debate U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Springs). Starting Wednesday, Bornstein will try a new tactic as she looks to spark a grassroots movement among her supporters in hopes of pressuring Mack to confront her challenger.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has moved two California congressional races to their "Races to Watch" list, the first tier in the Red to Blue program, which supports competitive Democratic challengers in Republican districts across the nation. The new additions include Julie Bornstein (D-Palm Desert), who is looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Springs) in the 26th Congressional District, and Russ Warner (D-Rancho Cucamonga), challenger to U.S. Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) in the 26th Congressional District.

Democrat Julie Bornstein, running for U.S. Congress in District 45, has won the endorsements of the California Democratic Party, and U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

“Julie Bornstein has the know-how and knowledge to make Riverside County count in Congress. We need an effective, active Representative and Julie will be that kind of Member,” said Riverside County Democratic Central Committee District Chair Shirley Walton.

Bornstein, a former Member of the California State Assembly, is running for the seat currently occupied by Republican Mary Bono Mack. The district, which spans part of Riverside County, is largely conservative. In the 2004 presidential election George W. Bush won 56% of the district’s vote.

Also running for the Democratic nomination is Paul Clay, a teacher, and Dave Hunsicker, a realtor.