As a Californian and an environmentalist, this was a race I watched very closely. Despite our reputation as being the "far left," it is truly amazing how conservative California becomes as we move away from the shore. Pombo was considered a "safe seat" and his actions have done more to put California backwards environmentally than any other elected official in memory. Pombo's defeat was the sweet cherry on top of the Democratic majority in the House.

Alternet:

Rep. Richard 'Dick' Pombo is a Rep. no more.

We bring you a special Grist tribute to the man who dreamt at night of shoving oil drills down the throats of endangered species.

[Tune to "The Way We Were" rises in background ...]

Ah, Dick. Remember when you tried to sell off drilling rights in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to fund transportation pork? That was insane funny. You always did have a sense of humor.

Who could forget your Ahabian quest to gut the Endangered Species Act? You were like the bad guy from a cheap horror movie, springing to life again and again. Points for persistence!

Then there was the time you put out a report saying mercury's not really so bad for you after all. Again, batshit insane completely hilarious. You cracked us up, Dick. Read on...

SF Chronicle: Pombo foe says Bush visit clinched his win Oh, the irony!