Six Democratic candidates for the U.S. Congressional 33rd District sat on a small, crowded stage of the Point Dume Clubhouse last Sunday morning, eager to share their election platform with a Malibu audience of about 75 Democrats.
The six represent just one-third of the 18 names on the crowded ballot for the job, which also includes four Democrats who did not attend Sunday’s event, three Republicans and five others.
The candidates are seeking to replace Rep. Henry Waxman, who earlier this year announced plans to retire after serving 40 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district includes Malibu, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and many other Westside cities. His announcement threw the field wide open for the first time since the Ford Administration.
The candidate forum, sponsored by the Malibu Democratic Club, also featured personal appearances by candidates running for the state-level positions of State Controller and Secretary of State.
Candidates had a limited amount of time to introduce themselves, answer audience questions and make a closing statement.
Congressional candidates
First up was Wendy Greuel, who probably has the most name recognition after serving as Los Angeles City Controller from 2009-2013 and running as a candidate for Los Angeles mayor in 2013.
Greuel said the issues important to her include veterans, a woman’s right to choose, equal pay and “protecting the beautiful beaches and mountains.” She has “Progressive values” and is “willing to take on the tough issues and the special interests.”
Political newcomer David Kanuth, an attorney who spent seven years as a public defender, wants to address a failed educational system, a flawed criminal justice system, climate change and gun control. “We need to send people to Washington that aren’t status quo,” he said.
Buoyed by his endorsement from the Los Angeles Times, Matt Miller, author, public policy analyst, Pacific Palisades resident and host of KCRW’s “Left, Right and Center,” is making his first run for public office. Besides being a riveting speaker, Miller displayed an in-depth knowledge of healthcare and other issues.
“Too often, progressives fight for policies that won’t make a meaningful difference. A minimum wage of $10.10 is still not a living wage — it needs to be $15 an hour. Send someone to Washington that doesn’t accept the terms of debate, but helps shape them,” he said.
Kristie Holmes, a social worker and professor also running for office for the first time, distinguished herself from the other candidates by being the only one to voice her support of “the full legalization of marijuana” because of the revenue stream it would produce.
“Colorado has already made a billion dollars” she said.
Holmes also offered insight on problems with the education system and student loan programs.
Also throwing her hat into the political ring for the first time, attorney Barbara Mulvaney of Santa Monica said she was the only candidate with foreign policy experience.
“I worked for the U.N. on the Rwanda genocide and I also worked for the State Department in Baghdad,” Mulvaney said.
Ted Lieu, represented by local Dorothy Reik, is a Torrance resident, attorney, USAF officer and the only candidate with legislative experience. He has served in the California State Assembly and Senate since 2005, introducing or sponsoring numerous pieces of legislation such as regulation of sub-prime mortgages, overturning the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling and banning fracking. Lieu has been endorsed by various Democratic groups in the state.
State candidates
One of two candidates for State Controller present, Betty Yee, currently on the Board of Equalization, claims she was responsible for taxing online sales in California, which bring in $270 million per year.
John Perez was represented by Dante Atkins who said Perez, in addition to his financial experience, “would be the first LGBT ever to hold the office [of Controller],” if elected.
Secretary of State candidate Derek Cressman, relatively unknown to most voters, presented many ideas on increasing voter turnout and improving the statewide voting system.
The June 3 primary is a California nonpartisan election. The two candidates with the most votes for each office will move on to the General Election in November.
