By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
INGLEWOOD — Former U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson apparently has won the 35th state Senate District race against challenger Michelle Chambers.
As of Nov. 21, the County Registrar-Recorder’s office had Richardson ahead of Chambers by less than 3,000 votes. Richardson had 50.57% of the votes, compared to 49.43 for Chambers.
Endorsed by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Compton Mayor Emma Sharif and Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Richardson solidified support throughout the district that stretches from Carson and Compton to the South Bay and the harbor.
“We worked together in Sacramento and I watched her focus on her district and get the job done,” Bass said. “When you send her to Sacramento as your next senator you are guaranteed to have the hardest working people in the city who will deliver and I need her up there as a partner because we have a lot to do.”
Richardson says a top priority is finding compassionate and effective solutions for the unhoused.
“As a dedicated housing advocate for the past decade, I stand unwavering in my commitment to ending homelessness,” she said on her campaign website. “With a profound understanding of the pressing issues at hand, my top priority is to spearhead the creation of more affordable housing options. Coupled with a steadfast determination to expand and enhance mental health services, I believe that these concerted efforts are crucial in guaranteeing that every individual has a place to call home.”
The race between Richardson and Chambers was not only contentious but costly.
Richardson boasted support from trade unions and law enforcement and independent expenditure committees poured more than $7.6 million into the race, making it the most expensive election for the state Legislature this year, according to California Target Book, a political database.
Richardson fought back against a House Ethics Committee investigation that found her guilty in 2012 of compelling congressional staff to work on her campaign. The committee report also accused Richardson of obstructing the committee investigation “through the alteration or destruction of evidence” and “the deliberate failure to produce documents.”
Richardson will succeed state Sen. Steve Bradford who has termed out of office. He provided his last legislation update during the Nov. 19 Inglewood City Council meeting where he discussed his bills that were signed into law and cited his work on reparations.
Bradford has since declared his candidacy for lieutenant governor.
The new legislative season begins next month.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
