INGLEWOOD – Former Congresswoman Laura Richardson has won the tightly contested Senate District 35 seat against challenger Michelle Chambers.
The Associated Press called the election after more than a dozen ballot count updates from the County Registrar’s office since the Nov. 5 election. At the time the race was called, Richardson led with 51% of the vote and Chambers with 49%.
Endorsed by Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Compton Mayor Emma Sharif and Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Richardson solidified support throughout the senate district that stretches from Carson, Compton, the South Bay to the busy ports in the harbor.
“We worked together in Sacramento and I watched her focus on her district and get the job done,” said Bass. “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. 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.”
Richardson was not available for comment and was reportedly in Sacramento for orientation.
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 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.”
Chambers was supported by Planned Parenthood after it was revealed she stabbed a pregnant woman multiple times before she moved to California. Additionally, questions surrounded her alleged use of a racial slur againt a former Compton councilman’s son and her abrupt departure from the seat half way into her first term on the Compton City Council.
Richardson will succeed Sen. Steve Bradford who has termed out. 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 Lt. Governor.
The new legislative season begins next month.
