Kevin Vranes has a phud in Physical Ocean- ography and Cli- matology. He now studies sci- ence policy and politics at the Last week's AskAScienceBooger question was "What's the most important local political race to you this year (as a citizen, as a scientist)?..."
My answer is Richard Pombo's race in the 11th District in California. Pombo is currently Chair of the House Resources Committee, a post he sought for one reason only: kill the Endangered Species Act. The 11th District is a wackily gerrymandered district and used to be more solidly R than it is now. Currently the by-party registration sits at 43% R to 37% D with 2% registered American Independent and the rest DTS. Pombo used to be a guaranteed candidate, but as of right now (noon on election day) it appears he might lose.
Pombo has tried very hard to alter the ESA but hasn't gotten very far despite years of a strongly R House and an R Senate. The power of the Senate filibuster has kept any hopes of radically altering the ESA in check.
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