Butler Gets Backing From Women's Group

Assemblywoman Betsy Butler announced Monday that she has won the endorsement of the National Women’s Political Caucus of California.

Butler, a Democrat, entered the race for California's new 50th Assembly District—which will include Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Malibu and West Hollywood—roughly a week ago. She currently holds the 53rd Assembly District seat that includes Mar Vistaa, which the then-first-time candidate won in November. She said last week that she'll be moving from her longtime Marina del Rey home to compete in the 50th Assembly District.

“I am extremely proud of the work NWPC does to involve women in the political process, support women candidates and promote policies for equality, reproductive freedom and the eradication of violence and discrimination in our society,” Butler said in a statement.

Butler is a longtime member of the NWPC and previously served as president of the NWPC-LA Westside Chapter. The organization was founded in 1971 under the leadership of feminists including Shirley Chisholm and Gloria Steinem.

“Betsy has advocated for women her entire career, encouraged women to become involved in the political process and helped them succeed," NWPC California President Teray Stephens said in a statement. "Now, as an elected woman herself, she is fighting for equality, reproductive freedom and an end to violence and discrimination against women. Betsy is one of us.”

In a statement regarding its endorsement, the NWPC noted that Butler authored legislation that would ban the use of Bisphenol-A in baby bottles and sippy cups. The legislation was recently approved by both houses of the California Legislature.

Stephens added that Butler "has fought for legislation to expand health care coverage for women, promote mammography screening information and ensure that law enforcement agencies who collect rape kit evidence share that information with the Department of Justice.”

Butler previously picked up endorsements from Assembly Speaker John Pérez, Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, California Democratic Party Vice Chair Alex Rooker and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. Organizations backing Butler include the Legislative LGBT Caucus and the Legislative Women’s Caucus.

Butler's primary opponents appear to be liberal activist Torie Osborn and Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom.

Osborn, who is running for office for the first time, has 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 highly influential California Nurses Association.

Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, who is leaving the 41st Assembly District due to term limits, has endorsed both Butler and Osborn. Greuel also has endorsed both.

Bloom has earned endorsements from Beverly Hills Mayor Barry Brucker, Malibu Mayor John Sibert and former L.A. County Supervisor Ed Edelman, among others.

The top two vote-getters from the 50th Assembly District primary contest will face off in the November general election.

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