--- [ ELECTION 2026 ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=401) # West LA Democrats Endorse Roy and Reitano, Decline to Back a Candidate in Senate District 24 Written by Nick Antonicello. ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/067g.jpg) August 24 2026 [](https://www.addtoany.com/share) [Comments](#disqus_thread) WESTSIDE - The West Los Angeles Democrats ([www.westlademclub.org](http://www.westlademclub.org)) met Saturday afternoon at Saint Bede's Episcopal Church in Los Angeles to finalize their endorsements for the November General Election ballot for the positions of LA City Attorney, Judicial post #65 and District 24 for the California Senate. Under the club's endorsement guidelines, a candidate must receive 60% of those voting to garner their support. To an audience of roughly 60 members in attendance, the organization had consensus on two of the three positions as Marissa Roy nailed down the endorsement over LA County Deputy District Attorney John McKinney for the office of City Attorney while judicial hopeful Anna Reitano secured the club's endorsement over her opponent Justin Clayton. But in the race to represent the 24th legislative senate district in Sacramento, neither West Hollywood Councilmember John Erickson nor journalist and entrepreneur Brian Goldsmith could reach the required 60% threshold. According to sources, the vote tally was split evenly between the two candidates. The two-hour forum gave all six candidates an opportunity to answer submitted questions by the membership along with opening and closing statements. The actual endorsement vote was by e-mail and announced online to the members. The first set of candidates were both Roy and McKinney, as they finished first and second in the June 2nd Primary ousting incumbent Hydee Feldstein-Soto who received just 19% of the vote in her bid for reelection. Roy, the Democratic Socialist, is making her first bid for public office while McKinney ran previously for LA County District Attorney surged past the incumbent in that primary campaign closing weeks. In initial questioning, McKinney described his campaign's focus on "community safety and fiscal responsibility," citing some $300 million in lost liabilities by the City Attorney's Office while Roy emphasized her 18 months of canvassing resulting in knocking on some 50,000 doors. Roy also stated she has the endorsement of California Attorney General Rob Bonta. McKinney, who leads the Special Prosecutions Division of the LA District Attorney, stressed his long experience of public service of nearly 30 years, would bring structure and fiscal responsibility back to the City Attorney's Office. Roy believed she could raise revenue through increased civil litigation and go after employers for wage theft, stating "I am unbought." McKinney countered by stating he would prosecute "bad actors" who price gauge consumers and tenants, go after slum lords while protecting "Mom & Pop" investors while ensuring city officials and departments operate with transparency. McKinney emphasized his partnership with LAPD and said he would support the enforcement of Municipal Ordinance 41.18 that protects sensitive spaces from homeless encampments like churches and schools. Roy countered that there is no "one size fits all style prosecution," and that she would bring back the neighborhood prosecution program discontinued by the incumbent. Roy views the position as a "dual function" office and noted the coveted endorsement by the California Democratic Party in this runoff. McKinney continued to emphasize a "quality of life agenda" noting seven people die every day on the streets of Los Angeles from homelessness. Overcoming poverty and circumstance himself, McKinney lost both his parents by the age of 5 and was raised by his sister in the working-class community of Passaic, NJ before relocating to LA to attend UCLA Law School. In the race for Judicial Seat #65, Justin Clayton and Anna Reitano are squaring off as they discussed their backgrounds, philosophy and outlook on how they would best apply the law should they be elected to the bench. Describing himself as a "rule follower," Clayton views his philosophy as "fair and unbiased," while Reitano talked about her long experience and legal resume as the foundation of her candidacy and an acute understanding as to "what is in front of me." Both expressed support of diversion programs, especially regarding low level offenses that could lead to dismissal. Clayton noted such programs as an underlying condition from recidivism, while Reitano offered that some diversion pathways are different based on language, calling for more "robust" programs as well as "lengthy, and larger safety nets." While Clayton stressed, his LA native roots, Reitano was concerned about current language bias in the courtroom and would work to "humanize" and eliminate such rhetoric should she serve on the bench. "Emotion is not a legal argument," the candidate offered. In summary, Clayton noted he is "not a politician," and as a product of South Los Angeles, he is running a grass roots race that is in many respects, "face to face." "I'm proven in the courtroom, and ready for the bench," offered the candidate. Reitano also expressed a heavy schedule of retail campaigning, as she described her effort as "hitting the pavement," and is also relying on a personal network of friends, family and colleagues to fund her modest campaign as she had her teenage son with her in attendance rooting for his mom. The main event of sorts was the Q&A between Erickson and Goldsmith, who finished first and second respectively in the June Primary in this very competitive race to succeed the retiring incumbent Ben Allen, now a candidate for California Insurance Commissioner. Neither were able to secure the crucial California Democratic Party endorsement, though Goldsmith received a higher number of the ballots cast. Both took a practical approach to the issues at hand as they both acknowledged that affordability, housing and food prices were stated, ongoing themes to represent this coastal district that stretches from Torrance to Malibu. Erickson emphasized his career in public service as a former mayor of West Hollywood and having "the courage to take on the big issues." Goldsmith, married and a father of two, stated that the "California Dream is under siege," and that childcare costs are unaffordable in many cases as only 16% of those eligible for such benefits are receiving them today. He also stated that green space is essential, especially for renters that do not have backyards for their family. Erickson believes his public service would allow him to work with "both sides of the aisle" in Sacramento as he has in Lomita, where the entire governing body has endorsed his candidacy and Mayor Cindy Segawa is a registered Republican. Goldsmith also noted he has the ability to "build a broad coalition" as witnessed by securing four endorsements from his June 2nd Primary opponents, including former foe Mike Newhouse, who was in the audience. Regarding state legislation about "density-oriented corridors," Erickson cited his experience in land use and planning at the municipal level while protecting tenants and feared the loss of "local control" by the district's municipalities. Goldsmith countered by describing the state's actions as a "ten-year experiment" that isn't working and would consider alternatives such as adaptive reuse conversion as well as modular housing. Both seemed suspect to broad and sweeping legislation that eliminates or lessens local input on housing legislation moving forward. Regarding the closing of Santa Monica Airport and ultimate conversion to green parcels, Goldsmith called for "strict enforcement" of the proposal with a "revenue strategy" to maintain this new public space. Erickson was critical of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for lacking responsiveness to residents regarding noise pollution and would fight for state and federal dollars to solve the problem before the December 31st, 2028, proposed closure of the Santa Monica based facility. Regarding environmental and coastal issues, Erickson replied we need to "start acting like California," and become a leader in innovation while ending a reliance on fossil fuels. Goldsmith believes "everything is a climate issue," and that the Palisades wildfires were worse due to climate change. Goldsmith called for stricter protections of the Ballona Wetlands and that even Texas was employing more alternative modes of energy such as wind and solar. He finalized the discussion by mentioning solar panels will cut the cost of traditional utilities. Both offered grave concern about the plight of the film and television industry if they do not receive the tax credits to compete. Erickson explained the cost of healthcare and housing coupled with corporate mergers were killing entertainment related employment urging a "arts equity buildup," while Goldsmith called for federal credits, and that "Los Angeles cannot be the Detroit for entertainment." For both, this was a top priority. In other club business, it was also announced that the West LA Democrats were also endorsing David De Jute in the race for Los Angeles County Judge, Seat #87. De Jute is the only Democrat in that runoff contest. The son of a former judge, he is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Notre Dame. *(**Nick Antonicello** is a thirty-three-year resident of the Westside and is covering the numerous judicial, city and legislative races on the November ballot. A regular contributor to City Watch LA, he can be reached via e-mail at )* [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)") ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png) ## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays Message [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2") --- ## Featured CityWatch Stories [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/d8/066m-d8f0fac6.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33229:democrats-finally-tell-iowa-and-new-hampshire-you-dont-go-first-anymore&catid=395) ### [Democrats Finally Tell Iowa and New Hampshire: You Don’t Go First Anymore](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33229:democrats-finally-tell-iowa-and-new-hampshire-you-dont-go-first-anymore&catid=395) GELFAND’S WORLD - Earlier in the week, the Democratic National Committee did something good. 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