Lesser-known candidates air ads in final days of race to replace Jane Harman

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

With the special election to replace former Rep. Jane Harman less than a week away, two of the lesser-known candidates have begun airing campaign ads on cable TV.

Democrat Dan Adler, an entertainment industry businessman and former Disney executive, launched his ‘Send a Mensch to Congress’ ad campaign throughout the 36th Congressional District, which runs from Venice to San Pedro. The ad is aimed at improving turnout, especially among minorities and new voters, and features Adler’s Jewish heritage and his wife’s Korean background.

Republican Craig Huey’s TV ads, aimed at delivering his cut-government-spending message, portrays two youngsters who get a whopping tax bill at their lemonade stand.

Adler and Huey are making their first bids for public office in a 16-candidate field that includes several elected officials, including Secretary of State Debra Bowen, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin, Redondo Beach City Atty. Mike Webb and Hermosa Beach City Councilman Patrick ‘Kit’ Bobko.

[Updated at 2:57 p.m. Wednesday: Bobko began airing a cable TV ad about a week ago. His spot talks about his family’s commitment to public service (his mother is a teacher, his father is in the military) and his own graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy.]

If nobody wins a majority in Tuesday’s election, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will compete in a July 12 runoff.

--Jean Merl