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Daily Breeze: Sandra Fluke tries to parlay national fame into victory in California 26th Senate District race

By Kurt Gonska on May 28, 2014


8th-post-featured

By Brian Sumers. Originally published in the Daily Breeze

Sandra Fluke, a candidate for state Senate, wants voters to know her for more than just her public spat with conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh.

Yes, it made her famous nationally. And yes, it revolved around an issue that was important to her.

In a bit of political theater in 2012, Fluke testified before a Democratic Party congressional committee, telling the representatives that health insurers should be required to pay for contraception. Her law school, Georgetown, a Catholic school, did not want to provide such coverage for students.

For her testimony, Limbaugh called her a slut, and then he apologized. Fluke, now 33 and a lawyer, became a quasi-celebrity and a progressive icon.

But as a Democratic candidate in the 26th Senate District, which stretches from the Palos Verdes Peninsula along the coast to Bel-Air, she prefers to tout her legislative bona fides.

“I think that the most important thing for voters to understand about me is the substantive policy work that I have done,” she said. “I have worked on legislation for about 10 years now. It is has been on a variety of issues. It has been on everything from gay rights to low-wage worker concerns to concerns about unemployment to affordability of student loans.”

On the ballot, Fluke, who has been licensed to practice law in California since December 2012, calls herself a “social justice attorney.” But she said she has been just as much a legislative advocate, asking lawmakers in Sacramento to approve bills she found important.

Fluke said she was active in lobbying for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed last year. Under the new law, nannies and care attendants now earn overtime for workweeks longer than 45 hours. Initially, the legislation also would have given these workers meal and rest breaks, but that provision was dropped from the final version.

Fluke worked with the California Domestic Workers Coalition to lobby for the bill, which was one of the first of its kind the nation.

“It was a real grass-roots coalition,” said Fluke, who lives in West Hollywood, along the eastern edge of the district. “I am proud of it because it is California leading the way forward, and that’s the type of change I want to accomplish in Sacramento.”

Fluke has raised serious money for the seat — $438,000 through May 17, the latest filing date — but whether she will be able to persuade voters of the California legislative success remains to be seen.

Scott Lay, an analyst of legislative races and publisher ofaroundthecapitol.com, said it is not clear if Fluke will be able to translate her national celebrity into votes. She’ll need to finish in the top two of vote-getters on Tuesday to advance to the November general election.

“I don’t think she is a favorite to be in the top two right now,” Lay said. “Her lack of name recognition in the district is probably hurting her. There was a failure to translate the national name recognition that she has to this district.”

As for fallout from the Limbaugh spat, Fluke said there was little. She said she was plenty tough to handle it.

“A lot of folks have asked me what was my first reaction when I came under attack publicly,” Fluke said. “Of course, there were aspects that were hard. But I think one of my family’s first reactions was, ‘Let us know if you need anything.’ They knew I was OK. They were probably more worried about the other guy.”

 

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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