Another day, another endorsement in the race for California's new 50th Assembly District. On Tuesday morning, announced she has won the support of another powerful labor union.
The Painters and Allied Trades District Council #36, which has 11,000 members, is endorsing the liberal activist. The first-time candidate also has the backing of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18, one of the state's biggest unions.
“Torie Osborn is a clear example of the kind of leader that we want in the Assembly—someone who can put forward new ideas for how to solve our state’s toughest problems and get Californians back to work,” Robert Smith, a political director for the organization said in a statement.
Osborn also released a statement, saying, “We need to utilize California’s immense brainpower and come up with a renewed commitment to finding solutions to putting people back to work. Creating more jobs, fixing California's broken economy, and solving our budget woes will be job #1 for me, when I go to Sacramento."
In addition to the labor groups, Osborn has also earned endorsements from Sheila Kuehl (who was the 41st District representative from 1994 to 2000); Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congresswoman Karen Bass, , and the . She raised $215,000 in the first half of 2011, bringing her total fundraising to $294,400.
Osborn's primary opponent appears to be , D-Marina del Rey, who is planning to relocate to the 50th District. Butler's endorsements include the , Assembly Speaker John Pérez, California Democratic Party Vice Chair Alex Rooker, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, the Legislative LGBT Caucus and the Legislative Women’s Caucus.
Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, who is leaving the 41st Assembly District due to term limits, and Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel have endorsed both Butler and Osborn.
Also running in the race is Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom, who has earned endorsements from Beverly Hills Mayor Barry Brucker, Malibu Mayor John Sibert and former L.A. County Supervisor Ed Edelman.
The top two vote-getters from the 50th Assembly District primary contest will face off in the November general election.
