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Santa Monica Lookout: Sandra Fluke Wants to Make Political Debut as Santa Monica, Southbay State Senator

By Kurt Gonska on March 28, 2014


8th-post-featured

By Jason Islas. Originally published in the Santa Monica Lookout.

March 28, 2014 -- Activist and attorney Sandra Fluke was faced with a choice in January when Congressman Henry Waxman announced he would retire after 40 years of representing Santa Monica and West Los Angles in Washington.

Should she enter what promised to be a crowded race to replace the veteran lawmaker? Or, should she try for something more local?

“I looked at (the congressional race) really briefly,” she said.

But, within 24 hours of Waxman’s announcement, State Senator Ted Lieu -- who represents State Senate District (SD) 26 -- announced he would seek the congressional seat, leaving his seat wide open.

Dismayed at the gridlock in Congress, Fluke, who graduated from Georgetown University law school in 2012, opted instead to run to replace Lieu as the state senator representing a district that includes Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Brentwood and the wealthy coastal cities from Malibu to Palos Verdes.

“I'm much more interested in what we are able to accomplish here in California,” Fluke told the Lookout in an interview at a local café.

Those issues, she said, include “things like increasing the minimum wage” and “being able to make forward progress on reproductive justice, on gay rights, on a whole number of progressive issues.”

Fluke gained national attention after she was blocked in 2012 from appearing before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on mandatory coverage of contraceptives by insurers.

While “reproductive justice” has been at the center of much of Fluke’s work over the years, it is only one of many concerns she has about where California is heading.

“We're clearly a district where we care a lot about environmental concerns,” she said, adding that she supports a push by several L.A. City Councilmembers to ban hydraulic fracturing -- a controversial method of extracting natural gas -- in the city.

She also supports Senate Bill 1132, which calls for a moratorium on all “forms of extreme well stimulation,” according to State Senator Holly Mitchell’s website.

Making sure that young families have access to affordable housing is also a big concern for Fluke.

“I think we need to work on Costa-Hawkins,” she said, referring to the State law that went into full effect in 1999, allowing landlords to charge market rates for rent-controlled units after tenants move out voluntarily or are evicted for failing to pay rent.

If elected, Fluke said she would fight for early childhood education funding.

“Early childhood education is where the investment dollars make the biggest difference,” she said. “It is what's going to close the achievement gap.”

But she said that with the State still recovering from its most recent budget crisis, it’s important to take “a balanced approach” to spending.

“We can't bankrupt the state,” she said. “We do have some debt to pay down. We have a rainy day fund” that can be shored up.

But, “we have to start reinvesting,” she said, adding that emergency social services are first on her list.

Fluke also wants to repeal State legislation that limits the amount of public assistance a woman can receive if she has another child while on welfare.

“If you are going to say that a woman should have the right to decide not to have a child, she needs also to have the right to decide to have a child and to have that not be in any way economically coerced and her decision supported,” she said.

Fluke is one of eight candidates -- seven of whom are Democrats -- currently vying to represent SD 26.

In the June 3 primary election, Fluke will face former State Assembly representative Betsy Butler, who lost her reelection bid in 2012 to former Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom.

Also on the ballot as Democrats in the June primary will be Santa Monica-Malibu School Board member Ben Allen, who was endorsed Sunday by his hometown’s most powerful political organization, Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights. (“Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights Make Key Endorsements Ahead of June Primary,” March 24, 2014)

Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth; Vito Imbasciani, the top surgeon of the California National Guard; former attorney Barbi Appelquist, and television writer Patric Verrone are also in the running as Democrats.

Seth Stodder, running under the “no party preference” designation, will be the only non-Democrat on the ballot for SD 26 after a court ruled that a potential Republican contender failed to collect enough signatures to qualify.

But Fluke, who has lived in the district on again and off again for the past seven years with her now-husband, thinks that her work as an grass-roots activists makes her uniquely qualified to represent the district.

“I see this as one part of my career and the legacy that I hope for my career overall is that it is one of providing a voice to people who didn't have one before; helping to amplify their voices and make sure that their concerns are heard,” she said.

Stand with Sandra


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Endorsements

  • Sandra Fluke is a champion for California women and their families. She bravely spoke up on Capitol Hill in defense of contraceptive coverage and has been a tireless advocate in California on behalf of legislation like last year’s Abortion Access Bill (AB 154, Atkins). She is not only a pro-choice candidate, but part of a new generation of progressive leaders fighting for reproductive justice. In the Senate, Sandra will join a committed pro-choice majority. Endorsing Sandra was an obvious choice, because we know that she will be a champion and leader for reproductive rights in Sacramento. We’re so excited to help her get there.

    -Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

  • She is one of a fresh, new generation of feminists, and it is exciting to see her take this step in her political career. I know Sandra will fight in Sacramento for progressive values and change to better the lives of everyone in her district. I look forward to supporting her campaign from now until Election Day!

    -Gloria Steinem

  • Although I would have loved to have her as a colleague in Congress, the people of the 26th Senate District will be lucky to have Sandra fighting for them. Sandra will be able to create the progressive change in Sacramento that unfortunately Congress is unable to achieve in this political climate. This is a great first step for Sandra’s political career and I wholeheartedly endorse her for State Senate.

    -Congresswoman Janice Hahn

  • I am thrilled to endorse Sandra’s bid for State Senate. She is a true progressive leader who has already worked to pass important legislation here in California. As chair of the Education Committee, I know the importance of early childhood education, one of many issues Sandra has championed. Her future constituents will be lucky to have her be their voice in Sacramento.

    -Carol Liu

  • I’ve had the privilege of working with Sandra Fluke several times. I’m impressed with her expertise and eloquence. She is just the kind of advocate with a fresh perspective that we need in Sacramento. I’m confident Sandra will stand up for what is right to protect reproductive freedom, and she’ll be a strong voice as a leader from within a new generation of progressives. I’m proud to support her for election to the California Senate.

    -Sarah Weddington, Attorney who argued the Roe v. Wade case

  • I am pleased and delighted to endorse Sandra for the State Senate. Sandra and I have worked together on legislation to advance issues of gender equality and reproductive justice and as Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, I am proud to offer her my support.

    -State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid for California State Senate. Sandra is a strong, hardworking, and dedicated individual with an impressive passion for public service. She is a strong role model and is the right choice to fight for equality and progress in Sacramento.

    -Jennifer Siebel Newsom

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid to serve in the California State Senate. Sandra has long been a fearless advocate for women’s rights especially those of women veterans. I am confident that she will, with unwavering courage and endless commitment, continue to serve all who have served our country.

    -Kristen Kavanaugh, Chair, CDP Veterans’ Caucus, Committee on Women Veterans

  • During my 2012 campaign, Sandra came to Rochester and stood with me. I got to know her and I was deeply impressed with her willingness to fight for what she believed in. She remains a champion for women’s health, and has spoken out this year in support of equal pay and access to contraception. She also speaks out for issues that don’t get as much coverage: human trafficking, skyrocketing student loan debt and workers’ rights. I’m proud to support Sandra’s run for State Senate.

    -U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Ranking Member on the House Rules Committee

  • Sandra Fluke is a fighter, and I know she will make a real difference in the lives of her constituents. Sandra is an incredibly effective champion for the issues that matter to Angelenos. I’m impressed by the work she’s done for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as her legislative advocacy for worker protections and access to education. I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate.

    -Honorable Joy Picus, Former Los Angeles City Councilmember

  • I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate. From our water crisis, to fracking, to the region’s significant transportation challenges – we need an environmental champion in the State Senate fighting every day to protect our communities, and Sandra is that champion. Sandra is a pragmatic and experienced leader who will be a strong advocate for the environment.

    -Nancy Sutley, Former Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality

  • As a veteran and survivor of sexual assault in the military, I have learned that real strength is the courage to stand up in the face of adversity regardless of how tall the challenge may seem. I support Sandra Fluke because she has the strength and dedication required to represent women and veterans and will ensure that veteran issues are a top priority when she goes to Sacramento.

    -Kate Weber, Mom, Veteran, Advocate, Survivor. 2013 Veteran of the year by the California Democratic Party and Woman Veteran Leader of the Year by Cal Vet

  • In 2012 when I was running for Congress, Sandra came and stood with me. I got to know her as we campaigned together, and I was incredibly impressed by her commitment to California and her willingness to fight for change. Sandra is definitely never one to back down from a challenge! I’m proud to stand with her now and I fully endorse her campaign for State Senate.

    -Congressman Scott Peters

  • I’m endorsing Sandra’s run for California State Senate. She represents a new generation of progressive leadership and she’ll be a fresh voice in government. I’m standing with Sandra and I hope you will, too.​

    -Congressman Joaquin Castro

  • I am so happy to endorse my friend, Sandra Fluke! Sandra has been a strong advocate for social justice and the LGBTQ community. Even before she was known on the national stage, she co-founded a statewide coalition that passed legislation to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ people in family court, helping protect parents like mine. I know she’ll be a fighter for her constituents and she’ll bring to Sacramento a fresh perspective on progressive issues.

    -Zach Wahls, LGBTQ Rights Activist

  • I strongly admire Sandra’s public service on a number of issues and I am so excited for her to step forward and run for State Senate. Sandra Fluke will be an effective voice for her community and her generation.

    -Christine Pelosi, Chair, Women’s Caucus, California Democratic Party

Paid for by Stand with Sandra Fluke for State Senate 2014 FPPC ID # 1363476
PO Box 146, Agoura Hills, CA 91376

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