We've been watching California's 41st congressional district for close to a year and a half (check out posts here, here and here) as Republican Congressman and ranking member (and former chairman) of the House Appropriations Committee Jerry Lewis has come under some strict scrutiny from federal investigators over some potentially shady land deals. Unfortunately the Democrats were unable to capitalize on the scandal-ridden Lewis last cycle. But with more time for the public to learn about Lewis' misdeeds and Lewis no longer at the helm of appropriations, perhaps voters in the 41st district will think twice now that the incumbent has decided to defy expectations that he would retire (or perhaps even resign) by announcing that he would seek another term.

GOP Rep. Jerry Lewis of California announced Friday that he'll seek a 16th term, putting to rest speculation that he would retire amid a federal lobbying probe.

[...]

His talent at securing federal dollars for his inland Southern California district brought him unwanted scrutiny last year when federal prosecutors in Los Angeles began probing his ties to lobbyist Bill Lowery, a former member of Congress whose clients included towns and businesses in Lewis' district.

Lowery's clients benefited from federal dollars approved by Lewis' committee, and Lowery and his lobbying associates and clients donated generously to Lewis' campaigns.

Lewis has denied any wrongdoing, no charges have been filed and there have been no recent public developments in the probe. However, Lewis hired criminal defense attorneys after news of the investigation broke in May 2006. He has paid them hundreds of thousands of dollars, including more than $30,000 in the second quarter of this year.

With someone other than Lewis running as the GOP nominee in this district, which leans about 9 points more Republican than the nation as a whole in presidential elections, it would be unlikely that the Democrats would have much of a chance. But given that Lewis will be on the ticket -- or rather at this point he intends to be on the ticket (you never know what federal investigators will find or do...) -- it wouldn't be wise to gloss over this district whatsoever.

Currently Tim Prince, an attorney who has been active in Democratic Party politics (serving, for instance, on the state executive board of the California Democratic Party), is in the race, though as best I can tell he has not yet released campaign finance numbers to the Federal Election Commission, nor is he yet active on ActBlue (though he is accepting contributions through his website). Whether or not he's the man for this district, I'll admit I do not know. But it's good to see that there at least is a candidate in the race so that Lewis will not get a free pass -- and if Lewis does befall some legal woes the Democrats will have an opportunity to capitalize.