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Laura Richardson won a competitive, expensive and hard-fought election to win the South Los Angeles seat in the state Senate, marking her return to politics more than a decade after a tumultuous tenure in the House.
Richardson narrowly won his race against Michelle Chambers, a community justice advocate who faced accusations of misconduct in a previous public office. The Associated Press called the race Friday after weeks of vote counting.
The race between two Democrats with similar social policies but different views on crime and business attracted huge spending by special interests.
The Independent Expenditure Commission poured more than $7.6 million into the race, making it the most expensive state legislative race of the year, according to the political database California Target Book. Negative campaigning dominated the race as corporate interests and labor unions fought over their preferred candidates.
Richardson is a moderate Democrat and will join the Democratic supermajority in Congress. But Republicans are on track to flip three seats this year, one in the Senate and two in the House.
Mr. Richardson’s biggest supporters were corporations, including oil company-funded PACs, and law enforcement agencies, which said they supported candidates who shared his beliefs about free enterprise and public safety. Meanwhile, the biggest part of Ms. Chambers’ support came from health care workers and teachers unions, who spent millions of dollars supporting her.
“I’m proud of the campaign we ran,” Chambers said in a statement, “for better jobs, better wages, and a California that works for everyone, not just the rich and wealthy.” He expressed his gratitude to supporters who campaigned, used phone banks, or voted for his vision. Well connected. ”
“This is the closest state Senate race in the state, but unfortunately it looks like we are just one step away from winning.” “Our people’s efforts have not been enough to overcome millions of dollars in outside spending against the lies of the oil and tobacco industry and its allies.”
Richardson will replace U.S. Sen. Stephen Bradford (D-Gardena) in the 35th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Carson and Compton and extends to the port. Mr. Bradford, who supported Mr. Chambers, said he believed both candidates were “qualified for the job.”
Bradford, who championed reparations legislation during his tenure, hoped future senators would be “open to meeting with all factions of the community because we have such diverse needs in this district.”
“I’m also very saddened to learn how negative this campaign has been. Probably one of the most negative campaigns I’ve seen in the 30-plus years I’ve been involved in elections,” he said. “Whoever wins, I just hope that we can come together after such a negative campaign. We understand that we have to work together.”
Richardson and Chambers took aim at each other’s past disputes. Rebels pursued misdemeanor criminal charges from 30 years ago against Mr. Chambers, who had the support of various state and local elected officials. She has also been accused of bullying and intimidation from her time on the Compton City Council, charges she has repeatedly denied.
Richardson has faced criticism over his tenure in Congress, and in 2012 a House Ethics Committee investigation found him guilty of coercing Congressional staff to work on his campaign. The commission report also accused Mr Richardson of obstructing the commission’s investigation by “falsifying and concealing evidence” and “deliberate failure to produce documents”.
Richardson admitted to wrongdoing and accepted reprimand and a $10,000 fine for the violation, according to the report. She previously said Republicans frequently targeted Black Caucus members during her time in Congress. After seeking re-election for a fourth term and losing, Richardson worked for a staffing agency to improve his management skills and said he recognizes his past mistakes.
“They say voters are very tolerant, but if you stand up and accept responsibility and do your job better, we understand what it’s like to go through things and go through hardships.” “We need people who do,” she says. He previously told the Times. “And that’s exactly what I did. I didn’t shy away from it.”
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