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Vogue: Sandra Fluke's Grassroots Campaign

By Kaya Masler on August 13, 2014


8th-post-featured

Vogue: Sandra Fluke's Grassroots Campaign

By Amy Ephron, Vogue

Her website lists her campaign address as a post office box in Santa Monica. But on a somewhat obscure, untraveled city street in West Los Angeles, black and white paper cutout letters hang in the shape of a rainbow, spelling out: “Stand With Sandra.” In another window, on the other side of the unmarked door, a more festive neon version states (or rather understates): “Sandra Fluke for Senate.” You could easily walk right by and never know the campaign headquarters of Sandra Fluke are inside. This seems to be by design. As Ms. Fluke explained to me on a recent summer afternoon, she has privacy issues.  

Sandra Fluke, you may remember, was vaulted to instant political fame in 2012 after she testified in Washington, D.C. in support of health-care coverage for contraception, and Rush Limbaugh called her a “prostitute.”

“She's having so much sex she can’t afford her own birth control pills,” Limbaugh shoutedacross the airwaves. When Rachel Maddow responded to Limbaugh’s bizarre assault, Sandra Fluke became a household name on both sides of the aisle.

At the time, Fluke was a Georgetown University law student living in West Hollywood (though she was a student in D.C.) with her then significant other of eight years, Adam Mutterperl.They have since married. And now Fluke, who is 33, is running for State Senate in California’s coveted 26th District. Albeit a bit quietly.  

When I first arrive at her office, Fluke is wearing jeans and a T-shirt and carrying three neatly stacked take-out boxes. Even though it’s five o’clock, she hasn’t had time for lunch. “Jeez,” she says, “I haven’t changed yet.” She’ll soon be on her way to Manhattan Beach for a meeting at a local Democratic club. She emerges not five minutes later in a simple navy cotton jersey BCBG dress and matching flats. With her dark bobbed hair, matching dark brown eyes, and porcelain skin, she needs no makeup. There’s something very down-to-earth about Sandra Fluke.  

“I thought about telling Limbaugh,” she tells me, her voice barely above a whisper, “that I was in a committed relationship, but decided that wasn’t the point. I didn’t testify for me. I testified for all the other students attending colleges with religious affiliations.” And it wasn’t just Limbaugh she had to contend with. “Some of the mail I got from”—she hesitates —“people . . . was really terrifying.”  

Fluke considered a run for Henry Waxman’s D.C Congressional seat but opted for the local State Senate race instead. “I just don’t think D.C. is where we’re getting things done right now,” she says, citing the gridlock and endless fund-raising required in D.C. She then states softly, “The only way to effect change is on a local level. And as progressives, we’ve neglected our state legislatures.”

The 26th District extends from West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills to West Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, and the Palos Verdes peninsula. To win the State Senate seat, Fluke must beat the somewhat more conservative Democrat and seasoned political Santa Monica fixture Ben Allen, of counsel in a private law firm, and self-stated environmentalist who holds an elected seat on the Santa Monica-Malibu school board. 

Her headquarters are beyond pop-up. Folding tables and chairs are crowded into a downstairs office, giving the impression she could pack up her tent or move to bigger quarters on a moment’s notice. Upstairs, a similarly crowded and decorated space, young staffers and volunteers man a phone bank.

Fluke was raised in a small coal-mining town in Pennsylvania, but has been living in Los Angeles for seven years with her husband. They have a dog, whom she refers to as a puppy even though he is almost ten years old. The dog’s name is Mr. President. George W. Bushwas President when they got him and Mutterperl, a comedian-writer-producer, wanted to be able to say things to the dog that he couldn’t say to the President. (Insert your own joke here.) She is a member of the California Bar, and her relatively short stint as a lawyer has been devoted largely to social-justice issues, advocating for victims of sex trafficking and domestic abuse, among others.

Photo: Courtesy of Sandra Fluke

Fluke, who holds an undergraduate degree in policy analysis from Cornell and a law degree from Georgetown, also has an impressive grasp of the city’s most pressing issues: the extraordinary gutting of the school system, with California having shockingly dropped to 49th in the nation in “per pupil spending” (the Los Angeles Unified School District laid off approximately 5,000 teachers, librarians, and nurses in 2011); the uptick in gang violence; the importance of tax credits for the film industry, now pending before the legislature; the need to attract other industries to Los Angeles, off-shore drilling at Manhattan Beach, a moratorium on fracking, preserving the Ballona Wetlands, and to do “what we can about climate change.” She wants to “make progress environmentally, but also create jobs.”  

And while her campaign may be under-the-radar, the strategy might prove successful. According to political strategist Bill Carrick, who’s now advising Bobby Shriver in his somewhat more high-profile bid for county supervisor, Fluke has run a very smart campaign. “You have to understand,” he tells me, “Los Angeles is the second most expensive media outlet in the country. She held her money back and spent it in the last week of the primary race. And she popped right out of the field!” Carrick adds: “California has an amazing record for launching female politicians.”    
    
Her opponent, Allen, has the endorsements of former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan,Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, and committed environmentalist State Senator Fran Pavley. Pavley’s endorsement largely cited Allen’s experience in education. Aside from a resolution he drafted, which was adopted, requiring LEED certification for all new buildings at University of California schools, Allen’s past environmental advocacy is also a little below the radar. (When I asked California’s high-profile environmental activist and actorEd Begley, Jr. about Allen and his record as an environmentalist, Begley replied, “Who’s Ben Allen?  Did I have dinner with him?” I tried to refresh his memory, but Begley insisted, “I don’t know Ben Allen.” It’s really hard to be a committed environmentalist in Los Angeles and not have run into Ed Begley, Jr..

Fluke, meanwhile, has the support of multiple LGBT organizations, the ear of Nancy Pelosi,an iconic hug from President Obama, and the endorsements of both the California Federation of Teachers and the Teamsters Joint Council 42, not to mention Compton’s MayorAja Brown. “That’s huge,” Carrick says. “This race is wide open.”  

Stand with Sandra


    Latest News

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    October 21, 2014 by Kaya Masler
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    October 21, 2014 by Kaya Masler
  • Daily Breeze Reports: Sandra Fluke claims fundraising lead over opponent Ben Allen in Senate race
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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 931, Agoura Hills, CA 91376

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