Black Assemblywoman's Win Caps "Remarkable Ascent" That's Been Years In The MakingLong Beach resident Laura Richardson easily won the election Tuesday to succeed the late Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald in Congress and we couldn't be happier.
But please, let's not make it sound like she just got lucky.
The daughter of a Black man and White labor union activist, Richardson has been working her butt off to be on the cusp of a new political movement spawning the likes of Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Massuchusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and most notably, 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Ranging from their late 30's to early 50's, these well-educated, attractive, tenacious and dare I say, articulate men and women of a lighter-skinned hue are clearly redefining the way we look at Black elected officials and their ability to represent a more diverse constituency.
His likely challengers: White Carson Mayor Don Dear, and former Los Angeles School Board Member Warren Furatani, of Asian descent.
Let the race begin!
The daughter of a Black man and White labor union activist, Richardson has been working her butt off to be on the cusp of a new political movement spawning the likes of Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Massuchusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and most notably, 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama.Ranging from their late 30's to early 50's, these well-educated, attractive, tenacious and dare I say, articulate men and women of a lighter-skinned hue are clearly redefining the way we look at Black elected officials and their ability to represent a more diverse constituency.
Richardson, the Democratic nominee, held a 42-point advantage over her nearest competition, Republican John Kanaley, a police officer and an Iraq war veteran who was new to electoral politics. "We're breaking a record tonight, to have served on the council, then go to the Assembly, and now to Congress in less than a year," Richardson said, from a party at her Carson headquarters.
"A lot of people were saying this was a done deal," Richardson said. "We needed people to stay focused and keep reaching out to voters. I'm just incredibly grateful."
As expected, turnout was low, at 8.6 percent. Tuesday's runoff was a bit anticlimactic after a bruising primary campaign in June between Richardson and state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, also a Democrat.
The primary election divided voters along ethnic lines, as Latinos tried to capitalize on growing population numbers and black voters tried to hang on to a traditionally black seat. Richardson bested Oropeza by 6 percentage points, preserving black political clout in Congress.
Richardson's move to Washington will set off a wide-open race for her 55th Assembly district seat, which covers Carson, Wilmington, Harbor City, Lakewood, and much of Long Beach.
"I'm a hard worker, and I'm using my skills to advocate on behalf of the people I represent."
With all precincts reporting, Richardson held 67.1 percent of the vote to Kanaley's 25.2 percent. Green Party candidate Daniel Abraham Brezenoff came in third with 5.4 percent, followed by Libertarian Herb Peters, who won 2.3 percent. The 37th district covers Compton, Carson, Signal Hill and most of Long Beach.
With all precincts reporting, Richardson held 67.1 percent of the vote to Kanaley's 25.2 percent. Green Party candidate Daniel Abraham Brezenoff came in third with 5.4 percent, followed by Libertarian Herb Peters, who won 2.3 percent. The 37th district covers Compton, Carson, Signal Hill and most of Long Beach.
"A lot of people were saying this was a done deal," Richardson said. "We needed people to stay focused and keep reaching out to voters. I'm just incredibly grateful."As expected, turnout was low, at 8.6 percent. Tuesday's runoff was a bit anticlimactic after a bruising primary campaign in June between Richardson and state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, also a Democrat.
The primary election divided voters along ethnic lines, as Latinos tried to capitalize on growing population numbers and black voters tried to hang on to a traditionally black seat. Richardson bested Oropeza by 6 percentage points, preserving black political clout in Congress.
Richardson's move to Washington will set off a wide-open race for her 55th Assembly district seat, which covers Carson, Wilmington, Harbor City, Lakewood, and much of Long Beach.
The strongest candidate in the race and the one we're backing is African-American Carson City Councilman Mike Gipson.
His likely challengers: White Carson Mayor Don Dear, and former Los Angeles School Board Member Warren Furatani, of Asian descent.
Let the race begin!