Politics & Government

Osborn Snags Another Dem Club Endorsement

Political veteran Torie Osborn got 77 percent of the Santa Monica Democratic Club's votes.

's campaign for the , which includes Beverly Hills, continued to gain steam Tuesday night as she picked up the endorsement of the Santa Monica Democratic Club.

The political veteran has already garnered support from the  and the .

Osborn won the Santa Monica club's endorsement overwhelmingly with 77 percent of the vote, beating out her Democratic opponents—53rd District Assemblywoman and Santa Monica Mayor . The three fielded questions about an array of issues plaguing the financially troubled state. Butler ended up with 13 percent of the club's votes and Bloom received 9 percent. 

Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The primary election is June 5. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will face off in the November general election. West Hollywood resident Brad Torgan is the only Republican in the race. 

"Because of you I’m going to win," Osborn told her supporters. "My life’s work has been making opportunities out of emergencies."

Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Known in local circles for championing feminism and gay rights, and working with the homeless, Osborn said her backers were "kickass" for their enthusiasm in supporting her campaign.

"She is honestly the most inspirational of the three," Santa Monica Democratic Club President Jay Johnson said of Osborn.

Osborn dubbed herself a "community organizer with an MBA." Her responses often evoked hollers and applause from her supporters, who wore blue and yellow campaign stickers on their chests. They were the most boisterous in the 100-odd crowd at the main branch of the Santa Monica Library, where the candidate forum was held.

"I want a fighter. Their voice has to be fresh and authentic," said Santa Monica resident Sally Breiter, who met Osborn for the first time Tuesday and said she now supports her.

But Osborn's political ideologies are generally shared by her Democratic opponents, who are equally educated and whose resumes are just as formidable.

When asked about their plans to raise taxes, Osborn and Butler said they support Gov. Jerry Brown's initiative to hike taxes on sales and the wealthy, while Bloom replied "we have a menu of options to choose from. The most important question isn't which one we chose, but how do we get people to vote for it?"

Osborn and Butler also said they support taxing oil. Osborn added that she's working on a money-saving ballot initiative to reform the property tax legislation of Proposition 13.

The two women are also aligned in their opposition to the death penalty. Bloom said he supports it only for mass murderers and terrorists. All three want to see health care reformed into a single-payer system, such as the one proposed under Senate Bill 810

In an effort to appeal to voters, Bloom reminded the audience that he has served on the Santa Monica City Council for 13 years. Butler told those in attendance that she already has experience in the state Assembly.

"I'm finishing the first year of my first term, and I'm quite happy with what I got to work on this year," said Butler, who went on to name six bills she penned that were ultimately signed into law by Gov. Brown.

Yet Butler and Bloom will have another chance to face off against Osborn. The West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Democratic Club is holding its endorsement meeting for the State Assembly at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The meeting will take place at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA, 90069. Current members' dues must be paid by Jan. 25 to vote. It is too late for new members to join and vote at this meeting. For more information, call 310-278-7596 or email WHBHDEMS@gmail.com.

Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here