California may transform into a battleground this weekend if the hopes of leading Democrats are reached.
The Democratic Party is meeting in San Diego for a three-day convention. Governor Jerry Brown, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Minnesota Senator and comedian Al Franken will be among those in attendance at the convention.
The Democratic Party is dubbing the convention, “Battleground California,” referencing the struggle they face in winning over newly opened congressional seats. Many of those spots opened up or shifted with last year’s redistricting.
"We're going to work hard to re-elect President Obama and Senator Feinstein; but we're also going to focus on electing more Democrats to the House of Representatives in swing districts across the state to make Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House again,” said the party’s Chairman John Burton.
On Saturday, caucuses will be held to endorse Democratic candidates for Congress.
Two San Diego Democrats are competing for that endorsement: former Assemblywoman Lori Saldana and Port of San Diego Chairman Scott Peters. They are running against incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray for the newly re-drawn 52nd district. That election will be held in June 2012.
Click here for an event schedule, and be sure to check back for NBC San Diego’s ongoing coverage of “Battleground California.”
