How the Race to Replace Waxman Is Shaping Up

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa endorsed the congressional campaign of former City Controller Wendy Greuel today, calling her “the right choice, right now” to succeed retiring Rep. Henry Waxman.

Villaraigosa said Greuel was a “champion for women, a champion of the environment and something near and dear to me, a huge champion on transportation and traffic relief.”

Sandra Fluke, who gained fame when she told Congress in 2012 that birth control should be covered under the Affordable Care Act -- and in response as called a "slut" by radio host Rush Limbaugh, has filed to seek the California Democratic Party's endorsement for the seat.

A Fluke adviser told The Washington Post she filed to seek the endorsement because of a looming deadline and is keeping her options open.

“It is not the same as announcing her candidacy,” the adviser told The Post.

A pre-endorsement conference will be held Sunday in Van Nuys.

Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, declared his candidacy in the 33rd Congressional District race Friday, one day after Waxman announced his retirement. Attorney Barbara Mulvaney, told the Los Angeles Times Monday she was running.

Self-help author Marianne Williamson and television director and executive Brent Roske both declared their candidacies as independents before Waxman announced his retirement.

Waxman, D-Beverly Hills, announced he would retire at the end of his term. He was elected to the first of his 20 consecutive terms in 1974.

--City News Service