Kate Anderson
Nick Karno
Al Muratsuchi
Mitch Ward 
Betsy ButlerThe Daily Breeze printed an article on the race to replace Ted Lieu (who is termed out in 2010 and is running for Attorney General) inthe 53rd Assembly District. At the California Democratic Convention in Sacramento last month MadProfessah was able to run into some of the major candidates in this (currently below-the-radar) electoral battle.
Here's an excerpt:
When the seat was last open, after the death of incumbent Mike Gordon in 2005, Democrats held a six-point registration advantage in the district. That advantage has since doubled to 12 points.
[...]
Perhaps the most formidable candidate at this early stage is Betsy Butler, who has secured several major endorsements despite being virtually unknown in the 53rd District.
Butler is the top fundraiser for Consumer Attorneys of California, a lobbying group for trial lawyers. Butler, 45, says she splits her time between her job in Sacramento and her home in Marina del Rey.
[...]
Lieu is staying neutral, at least for now.
The other candidates may have stronger ties to the local community, but they will have to struggle to compete financially.
Among them is Mitch Ward, who is the first black councilman ever elected in Manhattan Beach. Ward, 48, has the backing of his fellow council members, but he will have to introduce himself to the rest of the district, which extends from Venice to Torrance and Lomita.
Additionally, Nick Karno (deputy city attorney in Los Angeles and Venice Neighborhood Council member, 39), Al Muratsuchi (deputy State Attorney General and Torrance School Board member,44) and Kate Anderson (former aide to U.S. Rep. Waxman and lawyer, 37) are also considered in the article.
MadProfessah is interested in the race because if (as expected) Ward and Butler become the two top candidates in the race, as an elected delegate I will be voting on which one should receive the official nomination of the California Democratic Party at next Spring's convention in Southern California.
For LGBT People of Color this decision may be a difficult one because although Ward would become the first African American LGBT person ever elected to the California legislature. However, Butler is a longtime member of the board of directors of Equality California, the state's largest LGBT political advocacy organization and a very strong LGBT ally who is positioning herself as the more "viable" candidate.
It's almost like a mini-reprise of the Ragnarök battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination in 2008. Hopefully (for Ward) this battle turns out the same way.
MadProfessah is interested in the race because if (as expected) Ward and Butler become the two top candidates in the race, as an elected delegate I will be voting on which one should receive the official nomination of the California Democratic Party at next Spring's convention in Southern California.
For LGBT People of Color this decision may be a difficult one because although Ward would become the first African American LGBT person ever elected to the California legislature. However, Butler is a longtime member of the board of directors of Equality California, the state's largest LGBT political advocacy organization and a very strong LGBT ally who is positioning herself as the more "viable" candidate.
It's almost like a mini-reprise of the Ragnarök battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination in 2008. Hopefully (for Ward) this battle turns out the same way.
4 comments:
Sorry, MP, I think you've totally missed the boat here and have to disagree. The article doesn't even mention the candidate with the most known name in the district, activist & attorney Peter Thottam (http://www.peterthottam.com). He found and worked on the the impeachment in LA and was a leading antiwar activist in the city.
Peter Thottam???
WHAT!!!!
Wasn't he that radical nut who was running with the Green Party a few years back [WHEN DID HE DO THE SWITCHEROO???].
Whatever. I did some background checks on all prospective candidates for the AD-53 slot & what I found out about this so called 'candidate' [using term loosely] was disturbing.
There were articles and emails about Mr. Thottam getting arrested and criminally convicted in Irvine, again in Mexico for shoplifting and someone even mentioned he had shoplifted back on the east coast?
I am a lawyer myself and did a check on the california state bar site at www.calbar.ca.gov, and found that he was discliplined and suspended just last year. Not Eligible To Practice Law.
I just looked at his resume on his website, and he hasn't been able to hold a job for even a year.
Even worse, his own sister and brother are in a law suit against him.
Gonna miss Ted, but would rue the day if a bloke like Thottam took the helm [California is in enough trouble as it is before]
MP: Good call! Stick with your sane picks and keep the criminals and losers out like Mr. Thottam.
Also, Peter Thottam was arrested in Nancy Pelosi's book signing event in Los Angeles in August 2008 by shouting in front of her.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-milazzo/pelosi-gets-booked-confro_b_119475.html
http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/citizens_speak_out_against_nancy_pelosi/6226/
http://www.mail-archive.com/laamn@yahoogroups.com/msg07357.html
In the immediately above link, you can find his own words on this event, which say it all who Peter Thottam is:
"Would do it again? Absolutely. One of the best things I've ever done.
The look on her face was priceless. Deer in the headlights X 10?
"We are far too passive and non-confrontational. Kumbaya moments?
People are dying...
"Who are we kidding. I plan to resign and turn in my bar license. Laws?
Who are we kidding.
He says he wants to be disbarred. Can anyone report his 2008 arrest to the California State Bar? This kind of shameless behavior should not be tolerated.
One more thing I forgot on Peter Thottam.
What happened with his first wife, Amy??? Did she divorce him? Can anyone tell me what happened? Poor her. She was such a wonderful woman. He finally came off with his mask and it was too late for her. Still, it was great that they didn't have a kid yet.
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