Today, Democratic State Senate candidate and former Congressmember Laura Richardson announced the endorsement of the Southern California Pipe Trades District Council 16 in her bid to replace termed-out Senator Steve Bradford in Senate District 35.
“Throughout my time in the State Assembly and Congress, I was proud of my record of advancing economic and social justice, and my support of the labor movement,” said Richardson. “I fought tirelessly to support California workers and to promote job creation, economic growth, and responsible infrastructure investments. My commitment to protecting the rights of workers is unparalleled.”
The District Council 16 represents 13 local unions in Southern California, with jurisdiction spanning from San Luis Obispo and Bakersfield, to Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino County, and San Diego. They are proud members of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
Richardson is the only candidate for Senate District 35 that is uniquely qualified to serve as a State Senator. She has developed a long and impressive record of fighting for the people of California as a member of Congress, a State Assemblymember, and a City Councilmember in Long Beach. In addition, she is known for her bipartisan outreach when it comes to securing essential funding for local small businesses in need or bringing living wage jobs to her district and state.
“I have always been a champion for economic and social justice, and I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Southern California Pipe Trades District Council 16,” added Richardson. “I am committed to continuing my work to create good jobs. Together, we can create a brighter future for all Californians.”
Richardson’s announcement compliments her growing list of endorsers that includes:
- Emma Sharif, Mayor, City of Compton
- Lula Davis-Holmes, Mayor, City of Carson
- Barry Waite, Mayor, City of Lomita
- Jawane Hilton, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Carson
- Angie Reyes-English, Mayor Pro Tem City of Hawthorne
- Cedric Hicks, Councilmember, City of Carson
- Lillie Darden, Councilmember, City of Compton
- Deidra Duhart, Councilmember, City of Compton
- Wanda Love, Councilmember City of Gardena
- Dr. Khaleah Bradshaw, Clerk, City of Carson
- Barbara Calhoun, Trustee, Compton Community College District Board of Trustees
- Satra Zurita, Board Member, Compton Unified School District
- Micah Ali, Board Member, Compton Unified School District
- Juanita Douse, Commissioner, City of Hawthorne
- Ken Miller, Commissioner, City of Lawndale
- Robert Katherman, Director, Metropolitan Water Replenishment District
- Leticia Vasquez-Wilson, Director, Central Basin Municipal Water District
- Harold Williams, Board Member, West Basin Municipal Water District
A recent survey of likely March 2024 primary voters in California’s 35th State Senate District conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3 Research) shows former Congresswoman Laura Richardson to be a strong contender for this open seat.
“The survey found Richardson’s favorability rating to be similar to or better than most current and former elected officials with experience representing communities within the 35th Senate District and better than candidates expressing interest but have not served higher than the local office,” said John Fairbanks.
Richardson was born in Los Angeles and lives in San Pedro. She was raised by a single mother after her parents divorced when she was two. Her mother was a member of the Teamsters and remains a retiree today. Laura graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and earned her MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.
Richardson served on the Long Beach City Council from 2000 to 2006, and while serving in the Assembly in 2007 after the untimely passing of Congresswoman Juanita Millender McDonald, she was elected to the House of Representatives, representing District 37, where she served three terms before redistricting significantly altered California’s congressional map, resulting in the loss of African American representation for the first time in decades.
Senate District 35 includes the Los Angeles County communities of LAX, Inglewood, Compton, Carson, Hawthorne, Lawndale, Gardena, Harbor Gateway, Wilmington, San Pedro, and unincorporated communities of East and West Rancho Dominguez, Lennox, West Athens, Westmont, and Willowbrook.
The election will take place on March 5, 2024.
For more information on Laura Richardson for Senate 2024, please visit lauraforca.com.
