DOWNTOWN — The race to represent Santa Monica in the state Assembly in 2012 grew more competitive this week with freshman legislator Betsy Butler’s announcement that she will run for the newly-created and heavily Democratic 50th Assembly District.
Butler, who currently lives in Marina del Rey and was elected in 2010 to represent the 53rd Assembly District, plans to move into the 50th where she will run as an incumbent on the basis that there is a small overlap — around 8,000 constituents — between her current district and the new one.
The 53rd was carved up this summer by the Citizens Redistricting Commission and spread amongst three new districts — the 50th, 62nd and 66th.
If Butler were to remain in her home, she would be located within the newly-created 62nd District, which is also represented by Assemblymember Steven Bradford. Butler did not want to run against a colleague, and instead will move north and face off against Democratic activist Torie Osborn and Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom to represent the communities of Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Malibu.
With new open primary rules for 2012, the two top primary vote getters face off in the general election. Pundits expect two of those three to be there at the end.
“I live on the Westside and have for 24 years,” Butler said Tuesday. “The Westside is my home.”
Butler said she wants to represent communities that share her beliefs and ideals and feels the 50th is the right choice. Butler has been an advocate for the environment and consumers, recently celebrating the passage of her bill to ban a chemical used in plastic baby bottles and sippy cups.
Butler’s decision angered some of her South Bay supporters who feel abandoned and are worried that the new 66th District, which is expected to be more competitive following redistricting, could fall into the hands of Republicans and therefore jeopardize the Democrats chances of securing a two-thirds majority in the Legislature.
Marta Evry, a Venice resident who supported Butler in 2010, circulated a petition signed by 225 voters asking Butler to stay in the South Bay and run against Tea Party candidate Nathan Mintz, pledging donations and campaign support. Butler defeated Mintz in his 2010 bid for the 53rd, although he did carry cities south of LAX, including El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Torrance, which are now part of the 66th. That has Democrats like Evry concerned about the future.
“It’s wonderful that Butler was able to get legislation banning toxic chemicals from baby bottles passed,” Evry said. “But without that two-thirds majority, hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children who’ll now have safe sippy cups to drink from will still get thrown off of Medicare rolls, will still go to school hungry, will still have too few teachers, will still have fewer parks to go to, will still not be able to afford college tuition, will still live in unsafe, polluted communities, and will still see their lifetime opportunities and income dwindle … .”
Butler, who has raised over $134,000 for her campaign, said she will do what she can to help fellow Democrats win in June.
“I’m not the only one who has to move,” Butler said. “It’s going to be an interesting first year [following redistricting].”
Her opponents in the 50th capitalized on the discontent expressed by some of Butler’s constituents in the South Bay.
Osborn, who has over $255,000 in her campaign coffers, according to the latest campaign disclosure statement available, as well as several key endorsements including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Assemblywoman Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), said Butler is “abandoning” her constituents in the new 66th.
“It’s ‘Betsy who?’ in AD 50,” said Osborn, who added that Butler’s incumbent label is a “misnomer.”
“I think it will be an interesting race but I am very confident that the people of this new district, which is technically an open district, know my professional, political and personal history.”
Osborn, a Santa Monican for 25 years, worked as the executive director of the Liberty Hill Foundation in Santa Monica as well as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. She was an early advocate for those impacted by AIDS and was senior policy advisor on homelessness, poverty and economic development for Villaraigosa.
Bloom, who has over $133,000 at his disposal, believes voters in the 50th will look past the incumbent ballot designation Butler is seeking and will chose the candidate with the most experience — him.
“I think every seat [in the Legislature] is critical and I think we should be competing in every district,” said Bloom, a Democrat. “It’s not practical for me to do that. I do think it’s fair to suggest that Ms. Butler consider [running in the 66th] since about 60 percent of her constituents, as opposed to 8,000 or so, live in that South Bay district. I think she would make the race competitive.”
Bloom, a lawyer and California Coastal Commission member who has dedicated his time to helping solve the homeless crisis, has served on the Santa Monica City Council for 12 years. He has been endorsed by Santa Monica police and firefighters and the mayors of Malibu, Beverly Hills and Culver City, according to his website.
Butler has the support of Assembly Speaker John Perez, who reportedly is willing to pony up $2 million to support Butler.
“As an incumbent running in the 50th Assembly District, I am counting on her experience in the state Assembly to help improve the future of all Californians,” Perez said in a statement released by the Butler campaign.
Butler also can include West Hollywood Mayor John Duran in her list of endorsements.
“I have known a lot of people on the Westside, from Santa Monica to West Hollywood,” Butler said. “I have a tremendous amount of support and believe in the ideals, the priorities and issues on the Westside. I will continue to be a fighter for those who do not have a voice.”
This race just got interesting.
kevinh@www.smdp.com
