Dana Rohrabacher, who represents this gerrymandered district with 72% of its vote in the OC and 28% in LA County, has been an ineffective Congressman, characterized as a goofy loose cannon. He is most widely known for his rabid anti-immigrant positions and his support for torture in violation of the Constitution. Rohrabacher devotes much of his Congressional web page to junk science that attempts to refute the established science regarding climate change. He champions measures like granting tax breaks to businesses in space, missile defense systems that don't work, and systems for blocking attacks from space.

He has little respect among the local elected officials because of his refusal to assist in bringing federal funds back into his district.

The 2008 challenger, Debbie Cook, is a hero in the environmental community, with a strong history of winning elections in the largest city in the district, beginning with the successful Measure C campaign. A small business owner, Debbie went back to school at age 37 to obtain a law degree, and went on to win significant cases saving the Bolsa Chica wetlands, which is currently undergoing a large restoration project. Elected to the City Council in 2000, Cook was reelected in 2004 by a wide margin, and is serving her second term as Mayor. Cook is respected nationally and internationally for her work in educating elected officials on Peak Oil, climate change, and the paths to a more sustainable economy.