Candidates curry favor in Assembly race

How important is a political endorsement?

According to the five candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the upcoming 41st Assembly race, the quest for political clout could mean the difference between winning and losing.

The primary election is in June and each candidate is hoping to gain as much political and financial support as possible to help them advance to the November campaign.

Two Republicans and a Libertarian are also in the race, but the Democrat who wins the primary will be considered the overall favorite in this strongly Democratic district that runs from Santa Monica to Oxnard and includes Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village. The district has almost 20 percent more Democratic-registered voters than Republicans.

Incumbent Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills will be termed out of office at the end of the year.

"Generally speaking, endorsements are not a really big factor in terms of how voters think about campaigns, mainly because voters don't really know about most endorsements that are made," said Lawrence Becker, assistant professor of political science at Cal State Northridge.

"The kind of information that voters have is minimal in any campaign, particularly in a campaign that's further down the ballot than, say, a presidential race," said Becker.

But for those voters who pay close attention to politics, and especially to the candidates who are used to having friends in high places, endorsements are everything.

"I think what the endorsements do is they help reflect who a candidate is," said Democratic candidate Kelly Hayes-Raitt. "For example, I'm very proud that I've been endorsed by the Sierra Club. They went through an exhaustive process and determined that I was the best environmental candidate."

According to candidate Barry Groveman, "Endorsements play a role if they serve as (validations) of experience, trust and ability. I think voters can tell the difference between pure political endorsements and those that rise to the level of character references . . . I am proud to have the support of every single one of my (Calabasas City Council) colleagues because that is a clear validation that I am a collaborative problem solver, something I think the voters are looking for."

The five Democrats in the primary are:

+Julia Brownley, 53, a member of the Malibu-Santa Monica School Board.

+Groveman, 52, a Calabasas City Council member and an environmental attorney who coauthored Proposition 65, the state's Safe Drinking Water Act.

+Kelly Hayes-Raitt, 44, a founder of the Santa Monica environmental group Heal the Bay. Hayes-Raitt serves as the West Coast Director of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League.

+Jonathan Levey, 55, an attorney and a business law teacher at California State University at Channel Islands. Levey also served as volunteer counsel to former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg's commission to study the ballot initiative process.

+Shawn Casey O'Brien, 50, the son of a former Michigan state senator and host of the radio show "Access Unlimited," which raises disability awareness. He was born with cerebral palsy and is an advocate for the disabled.

Building a following

Those endorsing Brownley include Pavley, state Sen. Sheila Kuehl of Santa Monica, the Progressive Democrats of America, state Assemblymember Karen Bass and the California Nurses Association.

"Julia Brownley is a visionary leader and a passionate advocate for our schools, our youth and for our environment," said Kuehl. "Julia will continue the tradition of progressive leadership our communities expect."

Groveman's backers include California Superintendent Jack O'Connell, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Ventura County Superintendent Dr. Chuck Weis, Las Virgenes Unified School District Vice President Terilyn Finders and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board Member Shane McLoud.

"We are familiar with Barry's solid record of accomplishments and determination to solve complex problems, stabilize funding for public education and listen to teacher concerns," said Paul Markowitz, co-president of the Las Virgenes Education Association. "We think when he has decided what is the appropriate action, he'll lead the charge and not just sit back and wait to see what happens."

The influential California Teachers Association has not endorsed any of the candidates.

Hayes-Raitt has received endorsements from actor and political activist Martin Sheen, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, State Sen. Joe Dunn and the National Women's Political Caucus.

"It is my pleasure to support a candidate who truly reflects our values and highest ideals," said Sheen on the Hayes-Raitt website.

Putting their weight behind Levey are Mel Levine, a former U.S. congressman whose district comprised 60 percent of the 41st, the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs (COPS), the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats and state Sen. Jack Scott of Pasadena.

"We encourage everyone in the district whose priorities include public safety to enthusiastically support Jonathan Levey," said Monty Holden, COPS executive director. "His strong leadership will put protecting the lives of police officers first so that they can assure the safety of California's communities. Jonathan Levey is not a career politician. His experience, character and abilities will allow him to make a difference in Sacramento."

This week, Levey released a 162-page book called "Ideas in Action" in which he explains how he'll handle the issues and concerns facing the residents of the 41st Assembly District and all Californians if elected.

Those endorsing O'Brien include Carl Henley, honorary president emeritus of the NAACP College Division.

"If you already know Shawn, then I don't have to tell you how impassioned he is about democracy, civic participation and social justice," said endorser Martin Sweeney on O'Brien's website.

The Acorn and the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a forum for all the candidates at 7:30 p.m., Tues., May 16 at the Agoura Hills/ Calabasas Commuity Center.