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Easy Reader News: In the 26th Senate race, Allen and Fluke move on to General Election

By Kurt Gonska on June 11, 2014


8th-post-featured

By Alyssa Morin originally on EasyReaderNews

At 3 a.m. Wednesday, the results of the fiercely close 26th state Senate race were nearly final: with 93.5 percent of the votes counted, Democrats Ben Allen and Sandra Fluke were poised to advance to the general election in November.

The 26th District state Senate race started like a game of dominoes.

In January, Henry Waxman declared he would retire from U.S. Congress after 40 years representing the 33rd Dstrict of California. Almost immediately, Ted Lieu, State Senator of the 26th, announced he would run to fill Waxman’s seat. Eager candidates from across the Democratic party fell in line in attempt to succeed Lieu.

Visiting the candidates’ Election Night parties was essentially a tour of the sea shore. On the moonlit patio of Warszawa restaurant in Santa Monica, Ben Allen joined his supporters, sipping cocktails and watching returns on a giant projection screen.

Betsy Butler chose a quirky little spot for her Election Night party: the Lantern House in Venice, a trio of funky cottages brimming with artwork, fire pits and lanterns.

Amy Howorth had her crew stationed at her Manhattan Beach campaign headquarters, playing ping pong and snacking while the results trickled in.

Howorth, the mayor of Manhattan Beach who was endorsed by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, seemed content watching the returns, though she was not in the top two.

“I feel good, I feel done,” Howorth said. “And what I am most proud of is the team I had. This was all run by high school kids and I hope I helped give them some really good experience.”

In Venice, Butler was surrounded by a swarm of supporters at the Lantern House. She hugged them warmly and seemed at ease watching the votes come in.

For two years, Butler represented almost half of the 26th district as a state assembly member. After the 2011 redistricting, Butler ran for Assembly in the 50th District and was defeated. Tuesday, she sought a chance to return to state politics and fell just shy.

The atmosphere in Santa Monica was more celebratory. Allen was a clear frontrunner as soon as election results began emerging and ended up with 22 percent of votes.

A Santa Monica native, Allen studied law at Harvard University and is now on the faculty at UCLA as a lecturer in law and education. Allen is a school board member in the Malibu-Santa Monica School District and has previously served as school board president. He said he is driven by a passion for education.

“My big issue is education,” he said. “But I grew up swimming in the ocean here and hiking the hills. I am deeply committed to protecting the environment. And I am opposed to the drilling in Hermosa Beach.”

Allen scored major endorsements from State Sen. Fran Pavley, who represents significant portions pre-redistricting, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslovsky. Even more, he received campaign donations from Bill Bloomfield totaling almost $600,000.

 

Sandra Fluke, who won 19.7 percent of the votes, chose to celebrate Election Night in a private manner: in her office with her closest volunteers and advisers.

Fluke, a public interest advocate, was thrust into the spotlight in 2012 when she spoke at a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee meeting about the importance of contraception being covered by health insurance, even at Catholic institutions like Georgetown Law, where she was a student. Rush Limbaugh attacked Fluke on his radio program, calling her “a slut” and “a prostitute” who expects the state to pay her to have sex. Limbaugh later apologized for his remarks, but Fluke rejected his apology.

“The way I look at the Rush situation is that it’s not what qualifies me – that’s my 10 years of work in public interest – but it gives people an idea of how I react when I am in the spotlight,” she said. “I was put in a difficult spot of standing up and doing the right thing and that is how I will continue to react under pressure.”

Fluke is deeply concerned with women’s issues like reproductive rights and the pay gap, but she views her platform as pro-family rather than just pro-woman.

“I am focused on early childhood education because it gives caregivers time to invest in careers,” she said. “And the more effectively we invest in education, the better we can close achievement gaps and address concerns about paid and secured work when you take family leave.”

Though Fluke flirted with the idea of pursuing Waxman’s seat, she decided she could have a greater impact at the state Senate level.

“I think we in this district are in a position to accomplish some really progressive legislation and that we have a responsibility to do it for the rest of the county that is being dragged backward,” she said.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was the impressive performance of Seth Stodder, the only independent candidate and the only non-Democrat, who finished third among the eight candidates with 17.7 percent of the vote.

Stodder is an attorney and former George W. Bush administration official who served as a director in the Customs and Border Protection agency. He placed a close third in Tuesday night’s primary.

In the District 66 Assembly race, nothing was at stake Tuesday night as both candidates automatically advanced to the general election.

Republican candidate David Hadley bested incumbent Democrat Al Muratsuchi by a razor thin margin of 0.16 percent, or 73 votes, at the conclusion of the election returns early Wednesday morning. District 66, historically a swing district, encompasses the South Bay, including the Beach Cities, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Torrance and Gardena.

First-time candidate Hadley, a Manhattan Beach family man and investment banker, said his victory proves his campaign’s message is resonating with South Bay voters, volunteers and donors.

“I am very pleased with last night’s victory — a win is a win,” Hadley said. “We expected to be competitive last night, but we did not go all out to win; we were saving resources for the general election. So we are happy to have won.”

Muratsuchi is a former Torrance school board member who recently made headlines with an anti-fracking bill which would allow the city of Hermosa to repay its $17.5 million oil debt using the state’s tideland funds. He pointed to the low voter turnout this time around and said he is more optimistic about the general elections.

“The bottom line is, yesterday’s results are more about the turnout than about me and my record in the South Bay,” Muratsuchi said. “I’m confident that come November, voters will know my record of balanced budgets and fighting for jobs and our schools, and that they’ll reelect me to the assembly.”

Esther Kang contributed to this report. 

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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