But before I get to the endorsements, a bit of housekeeping. TOMORROW is election day. The polls are open from 7am-8pm. If you don't know where your polling place is, go to this link then type in your address to find out where it is.
If you have an absentee ballot and have not yet mailed it in, IT IS TOO LATE TO MAIL IT IN NOW TO HAVE YOUR VOTE COUNT. Instead, fill it out then drop it off at any polling place in your county. It does not need to be dropped off at your local polling place.
Got that? Great! Now on to the endorsements!
SHEILA KUEHL
If politics were a meritocracy, Sheila Kuehl would win this seat in a landslide. No other candidate even comes close when it comes to the depth of expertise or experience she would bring to the role of County Supervisor. After serving fourteen years in the California Senate and Assembly, she's already dealt effectively with the vast challenges County Supervisors will have to face every day: overburdened healthcare and juvenile justice systems, navigating state, federal and local budgets, and dealing with ongoing issues involving social services, housing, child care, civil rights, employment, public safety and environmental protection.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 33
After serving our area for years in the CA State Assembly and State Senate, Ted Lieu has proven himself both the best progressive choice to represent us in Congress and the one who truly understands the unique needs of our community. Whether it's in regards to LAX (modernization, not expansion), effective public transportation, protecting renters or our special coastal environment, Ted Lieu will be an effective partner for us in Congress. It's why local leaders from Mayor Eric Garcetti to Councilman Mike Bonin have enthusiastically thrown their support behind him.
CA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 26
When it comes to the CA State Senate, district voters are blessed with an embarrassment of riches. There are three great, qualified candidates running for this seat - Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth, Santa Monica-Malibu School Board Member Ben Allen and Activist Sandra Fluke. But ultimately, I've chosen to endorse Sandra.
When she first announced her intentions to run, some questioned Fluke's qualifications, saying being attacked by Rush Limbaugh and the resulting "celebrity" was not enough. What differentiates Fluke is not that she was attacked by Rush Limbaugh. What differentiates her is what she she did once she was attacked by Limbaugh. She didn't give in and she didn't give up. She didn't hide. She kept the conversation going. She kept it on point. She expanded her activism and with it the conversation about women's reproductive rights, their health and their equal role in society. And she did it with equanimity, intelligence, grace and most importantly, effectiveness. She was tested in a way very few electeds are ever tested. Since then, she's done the deep work she's needed to do to understand the district's needs.
In my book, that earns her a seat at the table, and serious regard as a candidate for State Senate.
CA ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 62
Of all the candidates who are running for this open Assembly seat (and there are many), Autumn is the only one who's shown any interest in really digging down into the thorny issues that affect Venice - overdevelopment, homelessness, traffic, public transportation and coastal access.
She earned the endorsement of many local leaders including the one she'll have to work mostly closely with, Councilman Mike Bonin. "Autumn's leadership in the community, helping small businesses grow and mentoring young people gives her the experience she needs to standup for our neighborhoods in Sacramento," said Bonin. "I look forward to working with Autumn to improve access to affordable housing, prioritize protecting our environment and to put neighborhoods first."
STATE-WIDE RACES
GOVERNOR: JERRY BROWN
LT. GOVERNOR: GAVIN NEWSOM
SECRETARY OF STATE: DEREK CRESSMAN
CONTROLLER: BETTY T. YEE
TREASURER: JOHN CHAING
ATTORNEY GENERAL: KAMALA HARRIS
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER: DAVE JONES
STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION (3RD DISTRICT): NO ENDORSEMENT
COUNTY ASSESSOR: JEFFREY PRANG
COUNTY SHERIFF: NO ENDORSEMENT
STATE BALLOT MEASURES
41 (Veteran Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act) YES
42 (Public Records compliance would move to local government) YES
