Former aide skewers California House Dem in primary launch

Another House Democrat Faces Age-Driven Primary Challenge

In a political landscape increasingly influenced by generational shifts, another House Democrat finds himself facing a challenge rooted in the age of its incumbent. Jake Rakov, a former aide to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), is set to launch his campaign on Wednesday aimed at unseating his former boss. At just 37 years old, Rakov joins a wave of Democrats advocating for a new era of leadership, signaling a desire for change within the party.

Positioned in front of a Los Angeles building ravaged by wildfires, Rakov debuted his campaign with a 2.5-minute video taking aim at Sherman, who is now 70. He accused the veteran politician of being disconnected from his constituents and failing to effectively oppose what he termed President Donald Trump’s “MAGA hellscape.”

“It’s politicians like him, who have lingered for too long without engaging in their districts, that contributed to Trump’s two victories and our party’s current struggle to respond,” Rakov asserted in an interview with POLITICO.

First elected in 1996, Sherman is currently serving his 15th term in office, with his last truly competitive race occurring in 2012 against then-Rep. Howard Berman, a contest marked by heightened tension. As of the end of 2024, Sherman boasts a campaign war chest of $3.9 million.

Rakov previously held the role of deputy communications director for Sherman in 2017 and is actively involved in the LGBTQ+ community, having served on the steering committee of Los Angeles’ Stonewall Democratic Club.

The district encompasses the western San Fernando Valley and includes Pacific Palisades, an area heavily impacted by January’s wildfires. While Sherman maintained a visible presence during press briefings in the aftermath, Rakov critiqued his response as inadequate, asserting that Sherman’s actions were limited to “maybe tweeting out a 1-800 number.”

“If I were in office and our district had endured such hardship, I would be present every recess, working alongside my staff at the Westside Pavilion rebuilding center, asking how the federal government can assist,” Rakov emphasized. “What resources do you need us to navigate?”

Rakov has committed to rejecting corporate PAC money—his spouse, Abe Rakov, leads the campaign finance reform group End Citizens United—and has vowed to limit his tenure to five terms while holding monthly in-person town halls, which he claims Sherman tends to avoid.

Interestingly, Rakov’s challenge is less about ideological differences and more about contrasting leadership styles. “We are both progressive Democrats, and I’m sure we’ll find common ground on various issues,” he noted. “However, this campaign focuses on being a more effective member of Congress and addressing the pressing needs of today.”

Rakov criticized Sherman’s lengthy speeches and social media efforts, arguing that they do little to attract new voters or effectively convey the party’s message. He believes that younger Democrats have a better grasp of connecting with Gen Z and millennial voters through contemporary channels.

In a post-launch interview, Sherman defended his record against Rakov’s critiques, describing himself as “fit as a fiddle” and asserting that he has participated in numerous in-person town halls during the wildfire crisis, albeit organized by others. He emphasized the role his office played in establishing the FEMA center at the Westside Pavilion and assisting constituents with their insurance claims.

Sherman recalled his interactions with Rakov, primarily through Rakov’s supervisor, the communications director, and pointed to his successful 2012 campaign against Berman as evidence of his political resilience. “Berman was a significant political force, and I defeated him by 20 points,” Sherman asserted.

In California, the primary system allows the top two candidates, irrespective of party affiliation, to advance to the general election. This means Rakov and Sherman could potentially face off multiple times in what would surely be a resource-intensive campaign. Sherman, a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, has expressed skepticism about cryptocurrencies, which he has labeled a “Ponzi scheme.” The emergence of pro-crypto super PACs during the 2024 election cycle may present opportunities to challenge him.

Despite acknowledging that he is a target for the cryptocurrency sector, Sherman contends that any candidate aligned with that interest group will likely encounter backlash. “Crypto is exceedingly unpopular among Democratic voters, particularly in the wake of Trump and Musk,” he remarked. “If crypto attempts to undermine me or another candidate, they will surely try to conceal their actions, but the truth will be evident.”

Rakov isn’t alone in his quest for generational change; two additional younger progressives are challenging older Democrats, including 26-year-old YouTuber Kat Abughazaleh, who is running against Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and 39-year-old Saikat Chakrabarti, a former aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who is vying to unseat Nancy Pelosi. Both candidates frame their challenges as efforts to usher in a new political cohort.