More candidates choose races in post-redistricting scramble

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The search for seats to run for next year continues in the aftermath of the state’s recently completed drawing of new political districts following the 2010 census.

U.S. Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) made it official this week that he’s running in the new 35th Congressional District that encompasses Pomona, Montclair, Ontario, Chino and parts of Fontana and Rialto. Earlier, state Sen. Gloria Negrete McCleod (D-Chino) declared her candidacy for the seat and Assemblywoman Norma Torres (D-Pomona) also is considering a run.

Assemblywoman Betsy Butler (D-Marina del Rey) said she would run in a new Westside Assembly district, the 50th. That disappointed some constituents in her current coastal South Bay district, which has been split among three new Assembly districts. The South Bay part is now more evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. Butler’s main competition in the 50th District is expected to be Democratic activist Torie Osborn, who already has lined up many key endorsements, including that of her former boss, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) picked up the endorsement of Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley in the newly drawn 39th Congressional District. Cooley joins L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca and county Supervisors Mike Antonovich and Don Knabe, among others, in backing Royce. Rep. Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar) also lives in this district and he and Royce seem headed for a big primary battle.

Endorsements also continued to flow in two already-busy Assembly races. Nurses union political director Jimmy Gomez added the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18 to his backers list. Gomez is running for the 51st Assembly District seat to replace termed-out Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), as are Arturo Chavez, a Cedillo aide, and Luis Lopez, a Democrat who heads the city’s East Area Planning Commission.

For the open 46th Assembly District seat in the San Fernando Valley, attorney Andrew Lachman, a Democrat, added Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz to his list of supporters. Two other Democrats, charter school executive Brian Johnson and businesswoman Laurette Healey, also are running and raising money for the race.

-- Jean Merl