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WESTSIDE - After months of campaigning, political clarity is beginning to take place in California's 24th legislative district as to who will advance to the November runoff in this battle royal to succeed the retiring Ben Allen.
With polling not very reliable, it's anyone's guess who will break through on Tuesday, but some say the contest for the two top spots has narrowed somewhat and the race is now between candidates Brian Goldsmith, West Hollywood Councilmember, John Erickson, Santa Monica College Trustee Dr. Sion Roy, and Venice attorney Mike Newhouse with former Rancho Palos Verdes council member Eric Alegria a potential wild card as well.
Alegria issued the following statement regarding his closing campaign thoughts before Tuesday's Primary:
"I've built my life and career in the South Bay and Westside, and like so many of our neighbors, I've worked hard to build a good life here. Lately, keeping that life feels harder than it should: costs keep rising, insurers drop coverage when families need it most, and too many decisions about our communities get made without us. I've removed obstacles and delivered results at every level. As your state senator, I will lower out-of-pocket health care costs, hold insurance companies accountable when they delay claims and raise rates."
Speaking of wild cards, the one significant Republican in the race is Allen's opponent four years ago, Kristina Irwin, running under the slogan, "Freedom, Family & Future."
California's 24th Senate District is one of the most competitive Democratic-on-Democratic contests in the state because it's an open seat. The district stretches from the Westside and South Bay through Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, and Palos Verdes.
Based on fundraising, endorsements, and the limited polling data available, some say Goldsmith and Erickson are locked closely together with Roy potentially right behind as well as Newhouse and Alegria.
Newhouse made a final appeal to voters this weekend with a YOU TUBE video:
Goldsmith appears to be the front runner:
Brian Goldsmith has been the fundraising leader throughout the campaign, reportedly with over $1 million in campaign funds and substantial independent expenditure support. He has also accumulated a long list of high-profile national endorsements such as former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former US Secretary of Transportation Peter Buttigieg, and former US Senator Barbara Boxer of California.
“I never planned to run for office. But I couldn’t just stand by and watch the many challenges hitting our state without taking action. I entered the race for Senate District 24 to bring a fresh perspective and make progress on our most important challenges—affordability, public safety, focusing on the future, and taking on hate and division—for our district and the state," offered the candidate.
Blue Wave Democrats Canvass in Venice:
On Saturday morning about a dozen or so volunteers from the Blue Wave Democrats led by club VP Jacob Burman canvassed with two of their endorsed candidates, outgoing Senator Ben Allen of Santa Monica who is running for California Insurance Commissioner and Goldsmith. Burman serves as a senior advisor to LA Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11), who is also on the ballot with a challenge from DSA progressive, Faizah Malik.
Both Park and Malik are lawyers and residents of Venice.
Goldsmith called Allen was a man of "total integrity," and that he looked forward to succeeding him in Sacramento. In Allen, making his first attempt at statewide office, thanked the Blue Wave Democrats and believes the fight for resiliency and the kind of investments required to end the threat of wildfires like what occurred in the Palisades moving forward is critical.
"Our political culture is increasingly toxic. Our democracy is being called into question. Handing over the reins to extremists is not the answer." noted the Santa Monica native and popular three-term senator.
The Battle for Second Place:
This is where the race gets complicated.
West Hollywood Councilman John Erickson has assembled a formidable labor and Democratic coalition, including major union support and endorsements from elected officials across Los Angeles County, while Roy secured the coveted backing of the California Democratic Party and has strong support in Santa Monica where he serves on the College Board of Trustees and has additional assistance from various healthcare-oriented constituencies. The key question is whether a labor-backed turnout for Erickson outweighs Roy's Democratic Party endorsement and Santa Monica voter base.
Those handicapping the runoff would slightly favor a Goldsmith–Erickson November matchup, with Roy remaining a very credible threat to edge Erickson for second if Santa Monica and progressive voters break heavily his way. California's "top two" system means finishing first and second is all that matters on June 2nd. A candidate can finish far behind first place and still advance.
Newhouse remains a dangerous, but dark horse hopeful.
The Venice-based attorney, and former Los Angeles Planning Commissioner, has emphasized housing, homelessness, public safety, coastal protection, and economic development as part of an agenda where he sees himself as the "police-endorsed Democrat" and "regular guy" in the contest. In essence, the one Democrat who makes sense.
"At the end of the day, most of us also worry about our paycheck. We worry about our jobs, our businesses, our kids, and public safety. We worry about healthcare, education, and we worry about clean water and clean air. If you want a State Senator laser focused on these issues, I fit the bill," summarized Newhouse.
And for Zennon Ulyate-Crow, the biggest longshot in the primary, offered his take: "I love California. I’ve delivered results by passing four statewide bills on affordable student housing and serving as Santa Cruz's youngest commissioner. Now, I’m running to be California's first "Gen Z" legislator to build a future where billionaires pay their fair share, big money stays out of politics, and government delivers for working families. We deserve a system built for people, not special interests."
Most election handicapping regarding SD-24 have focused on Goldsmith, Erickson and Roy, and to a much lesser extent Eric Alegria whose candidacy will be determined by any significant voter turnout in the South Bay where he served on the Palos Verdes City Council as well as Mayor.
So as Tuesday ends the first phase of this cycle and sheds the race to just two, the scramble to succeed Ben Allen in Sacramento has really just begun.
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of Venice and the Westside and is covering the numerous races on the June 2nd Primary ballot. A regular contributor to City Watch LA, he can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].)
