Jake Lakoff, previously an aide to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif), announced on Wednesday that he is launching a significant challenge to his former boss.
In a video announcing his campaign, Lakoff openly criticized Sherman, who is currently serving his 15th term in the House, for avoiding interaction with constituents seeking a firmer stance against the Trump administration.
“If you’re curious about why we, as Democrats, struggle to confront Trump, just look at someone like my former boss,” he stated. “Brad Sherman has been in Washington for almost 30 years. He sold his Los Angeles home and purchased a $2 million property in DC.”
“Rep. Sherman hasn’t hosted a town hall in the district for five years. He bragged that after his home was burned out, he would address the empty room while his constituents had to fend for themselves,” Lakoff added. “If you’re so fond of Washington, change is unlikely.”
Lakoff expressed that he is running for Congress to advocate for term limits for legislators from both parties. He stated he would refuse corporate PAC contributions and commit to conducting monthly town halls with an elected moderator if elected.
Lakoff worked as Sherman’s Associate Communications Director in 2017.
“These individuals have disregarded the rules entirely. It’s all gone,” he commented in a video featuring a clip of President Trump and tech magnate Elon Musk. “And if we lean too much to our side, it doesn’t seem to matter.”
Lakoff is launching his campaign in a context where the GOP is considering how best to engage with Democrats in the fight against Trump and Republicans. This comes alongside a surge of young lawmakers and candidates pushing for generational transformation within the party.
In a social media post, Lakoff stated that the time for a new generation has arrived, as the party continues to send the same politicians to Washington and expects change. He noted that when Sherman was elected in 1996, he was just eight years old.
In a conversation with Hill, Sherman indicated that he plans to have meetings within the district, engaging with specific constituent groups and various town halls scheduled for mid-April at California State University in Northridge.
Sherman also countered Lakoff’s position that older lawmakers need to step aside.
“I acknowledge he’s younger. He has a point,” remarked the California Democrat. “However, having seniority in Congress is advantageous.”
“Seniority is crucial for committee roles. Seniority matters for achieving your objectives. Seniority is important for approaching Republicans you’ve collaborated with for years to secure funding,” Sherman explained. “It requires time to learn how this place operates.”
