Politics & Government

Butler, Osborn Get Fresh Endorsements

Labor unions and a Los Angeles City Councilman announce their support for the candidates, respectively.

The endorsement competition is heating up between candidates and . On Thursday morning, both candidates announced that they have won additional supporters.

Butler has won the backing of three labor unions: the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1442, which represents thousands of retail workers in Southern California; the Amalgamated Transit Union of California, an affiliate of AFL-CIO; and the ATU chapter of Los Angeles, ATU Local 1277.

“Assemblymember Butler has been a strong supporter of our work for good jobs and affordable healthcare, and has fought for working Californians in the State Legislature,” UFCW Local 1442 President Michael Straeter said in a statement.

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“Butler is a true fighter for California’s working men and women,” ATU Local 1277 President Neil Silver said in a statement. “We are proud to endorse her in her re-election campaign.”

On Tuesday, Butler announced that she has California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom in her corner. She has also won endorsements from Assembly Speaker John Pérez, 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.

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Meanwhile, Osborn announced Thursday that Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon is supporting her in the race for the 50th Assembly District. Osborn previously served on Alarcon's "End Poverty in California" Task Force.

“Torie Osborn has dedicated her career to improving the lives of others, and making positive social change for the common good of our society,” Alarcon said in a statement. “She’s a real leader who knows how to forge coalitions and build support for issues in order to make change happen, both inside and outside of government.

"We desperately need more legislators in Sacramento who have her intellect, tenacity, and skills, if we are going to make some real reforms to the way our state operates," he added.

Osborn has also earned endorsements from Sheila Kuehl (who was the 41st District representative from 1994 to 2000); Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Congresswoman Karen Bass; Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl; the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund; and the California Nurses Association.

Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, who is leaving the 41st Assembly District due to term limits, has endorsed both Butler and Osborn. So has Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel.

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


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