Torie Osborn Gets Brownley's Endorsement for California Assembly Race

By Ann K. Williams
Lookout Staff

June 14, 2011 – The race for the California Assembly democratic primary heated up this weekend, as Assemblymember Julia Brownley threw her support behind candidate Torie Osborn, favoring Osborn over Brownley's longtime friend and fellow Sunset Park neighbor Mayor Richard Bloom.

Brownley made her announcement at Osborn's campaign kick-off fundraiser Sunday held at the home of Tim and Cynthia Sexton in the Pacific Palisades, attended by more than 200 people including well-known civic leaders and endorsers who gave testimonials supporting the candidate.

LA City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, CA Assemblymember Julia Brownley, candidate Torie Osborn, former State Senator Sheila Kuehl, LA City Council President Eric Garcetti. (Photo courtesy of the Osborn campaign.)

“I know a leader when I see one, and Torie Osborn is the kind of leader that this district needs,” Brownley said.

“She represents the values that we all care about and, when Torie begins to express her passion about the possibilities for California's future, she engages you, she inspires you, and you know that you are witnessing something very special,” she said.

Bloom, who threw his hat into the race at his own fundraiser at the Santa Monica Art Studios last week, expressed disappointment at Brownley's endorsement of his rival, but said that voters will still see him as the better candidate.

“I think the voters are sophisticated. I have a proven record that I believe is going to make me an attractive candidate,” Bloom told the Lookout Monday.

“Ultimately they are going to make their decision based on the candidate's record and experience and their ability to get things done, and on issues that are of importance to voters in our district such as education and protecting the environment,” said Bloom.

“After having spoken to thousands of people in the past few months, I've found that voters are hypersensitive to the polarization and inability of the legislature to effectively come to terms with the budget year after year after year,” he said.

“I think that my experience in a local government where we balance the budget every year is going to be meaningful to voters,” said Bloom.

Osborn spoke to her supporters Sunday, telling them “There is a new California rising. There is an emerging coalition, in this district and across the State, ready to return humanity and sanity to California.

“I am running to serve that coalition and this district, and I am in this race, no matter what,” she said.

Osborn has lived in Santa Monica for 25 years.

Currently a senior strategist for California Calls, a network of 25 California organizations working for governmental reform, Osborn has run the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and has served as a senior advisor on homelessness and poverty to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who endorses her and attended Sunday's event.

“Torie is a passionate progressive and a practical leader,” Villaraigosa said. “She brings integrity to everything that she does...She is willing to challenge power, and she is willing to stand up for what is right for California.”

Also speaking in support of Osborn were former State Senator and Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl, Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel and Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti.

The district Bloom and Osborn are hoping to represent is likely to change somewhat between now and when the primary winner runs for the Assembly in 2012.

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission posted its first draft of redrawn district maps Saturday. To see the maps, go to the commission's website. If all goes as planned, citizens will vote on the final maps this November.