The 30th Congressional District is in little danger of losing Democratic control this year. Republicans are vastly outnumbered (less than 16% of registered voters) in this Los Angeles County district that stretches from West Hollywood to the western edge of Pasadena, including Glendale and Burbank and several neighborhoods in the city of Los Angeles. Angels.
That means the real competition in the March primary is between Democrats, two of whom are likely to advance to the November general election.
Among the 15 candidates hoping to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), who is running for the U.S. Senate, are five Democrats with experience in elected office. Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), State Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank), former Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, Los Angeles Unified School Board Member Nick Melvoin, and Mayor from West Hollywood, Sepi Shyne.
Many voters in this district have supported one or more of them in the past and may find it difficult to decide between them now, especially since there is little light between their policy positions. They all say they will support access to abortion, push for solutions to climate change, seek to reduce gun violence, and fight for the right to vote and against intolerance and hate.
The differences are in their achievements. And by that measure, Friedman is the clear choice for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Friedman, a state legislator and former Glendale City Council member (and a film and television executive before entering politics), has earned a reputation as a smart, thoughtful and principled policymaker who tackles difficult issues, such as the serious lack of housing. , unsafe streets and climate change: to solve problems, not to score political points.
In just a few recent examples, he has passed controversial but significant legislation to ban the use of drinking water in purely ornamental gardens, legalize speed cameras, ban the use of “long-lasting chemicals” in baby products, and eliminate parking requirements in new housing developments. near traffic.
Many of his bills have run into opposition from constituents and colleagues who oppose growth or fear upsetting the status quo. Rather than bowing to these pressures, Friedman digs deeper, fine-tuning the details, and working to build support until the legislation is finally passed. This persistence is how, for example, he got the speed camera bill passed after four years, and it's how we hope he can get things done in a divided Congress.
She has demonstrated leadership, most notably during the #MeToo movement, when she was named chair of a subcommittee that significantly improved the Legislature's sexual harassment policies.
Portantino is considered a favorite along with Friedman, due to his long history in Sacramento and, before that, as a member of the La Cañada Flintridge City Council. He knows the district well and is often praised for his accessibility and support of the community. However, as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Portantino quietly killed many good laws (such as an oil drilling liability bill, important housing initiatives, and a bill to hold social media companies accountable for the harm they cause to children) by paralyzing them indefinitely without explanation. That approach is undemocratic and raises questions about whose interests it serves.
Many Angelenos in this district will know Feuer for his public service, spanning three decades, first on the Los Angeles City Council, then in the state Legislature, and most recently as Los Angeles City Attorney. However, there are still many unanswered questions about his role in the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power billing scandal. Four people have pleaded guilty to various federal crimes, including one of his former top aides and an outside attorney hired by his office.
Melvoin and Shyne are two impressive political up-and-comers worth watching, but they don't have the experience to suggest they can be as effective as Friedman in Congress. Another familiar name on the ballot is Ben Savage, an actor best known for starring in the '90s comedy “Boy Meets World.” He has a passion for politics, but no experience in government.
Friedman will serve the voters of the 30th Congressional District well by bringing the same dedication and hard work to Congress that he brought to Sacramento.
