Warner to challenge Dreier in general election

Rancho Cucamonga Democrat Russ Warner won overwhelmingly in the primary last night against Cynthia Rodriguez Matthews, the La Verne resident who represented the party in 2004 and 2006. Complete Results

Rep. David Dreier won easily in the Republican primary against challenger Sonny Sardo.

Warner appears to be one of the stronger candidates to challenge Dreier since the Republican was first elected in 1980. But Warner has several things working against him in the general election.

First is the 26th Congressional District's Republican tilt. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district 147,289 to 120,426. PDF

Dreier's other great advantage is his massive financial war chest. Dreier reported more than $1.8 million cash on hand through May 14, dwarfing Warner's $100,000.

Warner could be aided financially by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the general election. The committee placed Dreier on its "hit list" of Republican seats it may target in the general election.