New Candidate Enters Agoura's State Assembly Race

An incumbent has entered the contest to represent Agoura Hills and the rest of the 50th District in the state Assembly. But some people might want to put an asterisk next to the incumbent designation. Betsy Butler, who currently represents the 53rd District that mostly covers the South Bay, announced this week that she would run in the 50th District election.

Butler joins Santa Monica Mayor and California Coastal Commissioner Richard Bloom and political veteran Torie Osborn as the major candidates in the race. The primary election is in June. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will face each other in the November General Election.

A press release issued from Butler's campaign on Tuesday said she would move from her Marina del Rey home to the 50th District, which includes Agoura Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. She says she already represents 1.7 percent of the 50th District, which was formed last month as part of the state redistricting.

If Butler attempted to run for reelection based on her current residency, she would compete in the 62nd District race against fellow Democratic incumbent Steven Bradford. The press release says she does not want to do that.

"I am excited to be running in the newly drawn California State 50th Assembly District," Butler said in the release. "I look forward to continuing my work in the state Assembly where I have been fighting for consumers, advocating for working families and protecting the environment."

Butler's arrival in the campaign could shake up what has been a mostly one-sided contest. Osborn has collected nearly all the major endorsements and raised nearly twice as much money as Bloom, according to the most recent campaign finance statements.

According to the release from Butler's campaign, she has support from several notable political figures, including former Malibu Mayor Sharon Barovsky. Also on Butler's endorsement list is Julia Brownley, who currently represents Malibu in the Assembly. Brownley has also endorsed Osborn.