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The Daily Breeze: Meet the Candidates for Ted Lieu’s State Senate Seat

By Kurt Gonska on March 09, 2014


8th-post-featured

By Brian Sumers, Daily Breeze

If you need a primer on the three major candidates for the South Bay’s state Senate seat this year, you need look no further than the endorsements each candidate has collected.

Sandra Fluke, a women’s rights activist and attorney from West Hollywood, is the outsider, racking up endorsements from the likes of national figures such as Gloria Steinem, and state interest groups such as NARAL Pro-Choice California.

Meanwhile, Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth has picked up support from local mayors as well as city council and school board members and state legislators, while former Assemblywoman Betsy Butler is touting support from unions and local and state officials with strong name recognition.

Not surprisingly, the three candidates — all Democrats — say they have earned the right mix of endorsements to compete in the 26th Senate District, which Ted Lieu, a candidate for Congress, now represents. The newly redrawn district starts in the Palos Verdes Peninsula and hugs the coast until Pacific Palisades. In the district’s northern part, it turns eastward, encompassing Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and part of Hollywood.

In addition to Steinem and NARAL, Fluke, who has never run for office, boasts endorsements from state Sens. Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara and Carol Liu of Glendale, as well as from Sarah Weddington, an attorney who successfully tried the Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court, and Christine Pelosi, a Democratic strategist and daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“Obviously, it has been incredible to get endorsements from national icons like Gloria Steinem and Sarah Weddington, but endorsements from some California Democratic and veterans affairs leaders were also really meaningful,” Fluke said in an email.

Fluke also bragged about an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn of San Pedro, though that one is a little complicated. Howorth claims she, too, was endorsed by Hahn. Apparently, Hahn endorsed Fluke before Howorth entered the race. And when Howorth joined, Hahn switched to a joint endorsement.

“If I had been in the race, I think it would just be me,” Howorth said.

Howorth’s other endorsers include Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, Redondo Beach Mayor Steve Aspel, Manhattan Beach Councilman Wayne Powell and Manhattan Beach school board President Karen Komatinsky. Howorth previously served on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District board.

“When it comes down to do it, these people know me and have worked with me, and that’s a pretty great tribute to the work I have done,” Howorth said. “There’s no deals that have been made. This is about the work that we have done together.”

Butler, who represented a different Assembly district from 2010 to 2012 before losing re-election, has support from a wide group, including actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr., civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and Los Angeles Councilman Mitch O’Farrell. A strong supporter of labor unions, she has also received support from the association representing police at Los Angeles International Airport and the California Professional Firefighters, whose affiliates represent 30,000 firefighters and paramedics statewide.

Andrew DeBlock, a spokesman for Butler, said he expects more well-known figures will pick sides in the 26th District.

“I don’t believe national leaders are done weighing in in this race,” DeBlock said.

Read the original Daily Breeze article here.

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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