Former U.S. representative Laura Richardson declared her candidacy for California’s 35th Senate District to replace Sen. Steven Bradford, who is termed out.
A lifelong Democrat, Richardson has spent most of her life living in the 35th Senate District. She previously served in the California Assembly, representing the 55th District, and served in leadership as the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore and was the first African-American and South Bay representative to achieve this position.
“Throughout my time in public office, I worked hard, brought money and resources into my district, and in and in conjunction with a committed staff, resolved resident casework for disability and social security claims, significantly adding to much-needed benefits and payments for residents in my district,” said Richardson.
Some of the people who have already thrown their support behind Richardson include Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Compton Unified School District Board Member Micah Ali, and Compton Community College District Board Trustee Barbara Calhoun.
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 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.
“In our hypothetical ballot tests, Laura Richardson led initially and after voters were provided information about the backgrounds of several candidates,” added Fairbanks. “Richardson’s commitment to addressing local residents’ concerns on a range of issues, including jobs, wages and benefits, the economy, affordable housing, access to quality healthcare, public safety, and criminal justice reform, resonates strongly with voters. Furthermore, her background with community-based organizations, her experience as a business leader, and her public service record are very appealing to voters.”
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 http://lauraforca.com.
Top Photo Caption:
Laura Richardson has announced her candidacy for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
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