Longtime incumbent faces three challengers for 18th Congressional District | Gilroy Dispatch
Four candidates for South Valley seat on June 2 ballot
Four candidates are vying for the California 18th Congressional District seat in the June 2 primary, setting up a contest between a deeply entrenched incumbent and three challengers who argue Washington needs fresh leadership.
Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who has represented parts of the South Valley in Congress since 1995, is seeking another term, contested by independent Chris Demers of Gilroy, Democrat Luis Acevedo-Arreguin of Castroville and Republican Shane Lewis of San Jose.
Lofgren points to a long record of delivering federal resources to the region as her central argument for reelection. Among the local accomplishments she cited was securing $50 million for flood protection along Coyote Creek and retrofitting Anderson Dam to withstand earthquake damage.
“That investment was incredibly important for the safety of South Valley communities,” Lofgren said. “There are still infrastructure projects in these communities that are …