Following California Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman’s announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2014, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Elan Carr has thrown his hat into the ring. Carr, a Republican, is the current elected president of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, and he is the only Republican to announce his candidacy in an otherwise crowded race.
Carr is a decorated military veteran and reputable prosecutor. According to his
biography on AEPi’s website, he worked with the Israeli Ministry of Justice as a U.S. legal adviser.
While stationed in Iraq, his parents’ home country, Carr was leader of the American Jewish soldiers’ community and conducted religious services, even lighting a Chanukah menorah in what was once Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace.
Carr announced his candidacy on Feb. 10. The University of California, Berkeley, graduate is joined in the race by, according to Variety magazine, Democrats Wendy Gruel, Matt Miller and State Sen. Ted Lieu, and independents Marriane Williamson and Brent Roske. Gruel, who served as Los Angeles city controller from 2009 to 2013, was the first big name to announce her candidacy on Jan. 30, with Lieu following a day later. Miller, the most recent candidate to join the race, is the co-host of the radio show Left, Right, & Center in Santa Monica. The district is heavily Democratic.
