A former chemistry professor will challenge longtime Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) — one of the seven Republican members of Congress in California whom the Democratic party has said it will target for defeat in the 2018 midterm elections. Phil Janowicz, a former chemistry professor at Cal State Fullerton who now runs a education consulting firm, is a first-time candidate. Royce was first elected in 1992 and is the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Democrats are sending national operatives to Orange County to help win seats in the traditionally Republican stronghold. The president's party typically loses seats in midterm elections, and Democrats are working to tie Republican members of Congress to the president in the hopes of winning the House.

Source: Los Angeles Times April 25, 2017 02:33 UTC