The California 47th

2003-2022 | 19 years

One plot that runs during Season 5 of The West Wing revolves around a House seat in California’s 47th district. The plot is largely based on the fact that it is impossible for a Democrat to win in Orange County. At the time, it used to really be this way, a “republican bastion” where the republican candidates wouldn’t even bother all that much to campaign. However, times have changed, and in the area Democrats have gotten much more competitive, with Democrat Katie Porter winning in the California 45th in 2018, flipping the seat. However, the districts were redrawn in 2020, and now she is running in the 47th, which includes some of the most affluent areas of Orange County. In the election, voters had the choice between incumbent Congresswoman Katie Porter and former chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, Scott Baugh. The race was a very competitive one, with some news sites even calling the race a toss-up right up until election day.

Although Democrats weren’t too hopeful about keeping control of the house, they are trying to have as small of a margin as they can. The race is also one they are watching because Congresswoman Katie Porter has become somewhat of an up-and-rising star in the democratic party, with some mentioning her as a possible replacement for when Senator Feinstein retires.

This episode came out in 2003, 19 years ago, yet even in the show’s world where the impossible can happen, they couldn’t beat the odds. Sam Seaborn had practically no chance in 2002 in the California 47th given what a Republican stronghold it was, but today he would probably be the favorite in the race. This truly highlights how much change has gone on in the past 20 years. It is important to have windows to the past, to be able to see the change that has gone on. What was once unimaginable has happened, and therefore what is unimaginable today could one day happen. There are truly no limits, and no predicting, what’s next.