Former State Sen. Sheila Kuehl has secured the support of the Teamsters while former Santa Monica Mayor Bobby Shriver, her chief rival in the race for county supervisor, has been endorsed by former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg.
The Teamsters Joint Council 42 endorsed Kuehl because of her track record of “standing up for working men and women,” said Randy Cammack, president of Joint Council 42, the parent organization for 22 Teamster local unions with membership of over 200,000 workers and retirees. It is the largest Teamsters Council in the country.
“I am so proud to have the support of Teamsters Joint Council 42,” said Kuehl. “The Teamsters’ have a long history of fighting for fair wages and working conditions and I look forward to working with them on the many issues facing the county of Los Angeles.”
Kuehl, who served for eight years in the California State Senate and six years in the State Assembly, also received this week the endorsement of Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse.
Currently, Kuehl serves as founding director of the Public Policy Institute at Santa Monica College.
During her time in office, Kuehl authored 171 bills that were signed into law, including legislation to establish paid family leave, establish the rights contained in Roe vs. Wade in California statute, overhaul the child support services system; establish nurse to patient ratios in every hospital; and prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender and disability in the workplace and sexual orientation in education.
Hertzberg’s endorsement of Shriver could prove to be critical as he tries to make inroads into the San Fernando Valley, which will be a key to victory for any candidate in the race for the Third District, which encompasses the communities of Malibu, Santa Monica, Brentwood, West Hollywood, Northridge and Agoura Hills. Hertzberg, who is running for State Senate, represented the area for six years in the Assembly.
Both Shriver and Kuehl are from Santa Monica and have strong name recognition on the Westside. Kuehl recently earned the support of L.A. City Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who represents the valley.
“I am supporting Bobby Shriver because he will be a tireless advocate for the San Fernando Valley,” said Hertzberg. “I know Bobby will make sure the valley gets its fair share from L.A. County and I look forward to working with him in the years to come.”
Shriver also secured the endorsement of the L.A. County Young Democrats and the L.A. JOBS Political Action Committee, sponsored by the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce because of his background in business and finance. Shriver co-founded (RED) an organization that partners with the private sector and has raised over $240 million to fight poverty and disease.
The primary election is scheduled for June 3. Other candidates running include West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran and former Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich
This story originally appeared in the Santa Monica Daily Press.
