Feinstein backs Groveman in 41st District race

FRIENDS—Calabasas Mayor Barry Groveman’s campaign is armed by the support of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Calabasas Mayor Barry Groveman scored his biggest endorsement to date in next year’s race for the 41st California Assembly District.

Groveman, who was elected to the Calabasas City Council in March of 2003, is one four Democratic candidates in the June 2006 primary. Last week he received the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)

The winner of the primary in the heavily Democratic district is expected to win the general election in November.

“Barry quite simply is one of the most respected advocates for environmental protection in California,” said Feinstein, who’s known Groveman for 15 years.

Agoura Hills resident Fran Pavley is the district’s current office holder. Her term expires at the end of next year.

Pavley has endorsed her legislative assistant and the former mayor of Agoura Hills, Louise Rishoff, who’s also a candidate in the primary.

Rishoff served on the Agoura Hills City Council from 1987 to 2003 and is credited with building the city to prominence while protecting its open space.

Rishoff also served two years on the Agoura Hills Planning Commission.

“The environment has been my passion in the 20 years I’ve been in public service,” Rishoff said. “(The environment) doesn’t have many friends in Sacramento.”

Groveman is an attorney specializing in environmental crime and has worked on cases for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office and the cities of Los Angeles and Santa Monica. He also serves as special counsel to the Los Angeles Unified School District.

“What separates me from other candidates is 26 years of experience and extraordinary determination,” Groveman said.

In addition, Groveman, received endorsements from the Los Angeles and Ventura County sheriffs and Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten.

“I want to get to the things that people care deeply about like reducing traffic gridlock, increased funding for public schools, making a public education in California the best in the nation, and protecting our environment, our drinking water and our open space,” Groveman said.

Other candidates in the race include liberal activist Kelly HayesRaitt, Santa Monica-Malibu Uni

ied School District Board of Education Vice President Julia Brownley and Cal State University-Channel Islands professor Jonathan Levey.

Groveman leads the fundraising race with a reported $350,000 to date, including a loan to himself of $100,000.

The 41st District stretches from Santa Monica to Oxnard and includes Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Oak Park and portions of Westlake Village.

Members serve two-year terms with a three term limit.