Malibu Leaders Endorse Assembly Candidate Butler

Betsy Butler, candidate for the 50th state Assembly District seat, received the official support this week of more than half the . Mayor Laura Zahn Rosenthal, Mayor Pro Tem Lou La Monte and Council member Pamela Conley Ulich announced their endorsement of Butler on Thursday in a press release.

"Betsy Butler is the best choice to represent Malibu in the Assembly," said Rosenthal, . "We have seen her work to bring groups together and find common ground on issues like traffic and public safety. Her leadership will be a great asset to our community."

Conley Ulich added, "Betsy Butler brings people together to get things done. Malibu will be well-served with Betsy Butler in the Assembly."

Butler, a Democrat, is a current member of the Assembly as a representative of the 53rd District, which mostly covers the South Bay and will soon cease to exist in its current form because of redistricting. She plans to move to the newly formed 50th district, which also includes Topanga, Pacific Palisades, Agoura Hills, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.

The other candidates in this contest are political veteran Torie Osborn and Santa Monica Mayor/California Coastal Commissioner Richard Bloom. They are both Democrats.

Council member John Sibert has endorsed Bloom. Council member Jefferson "Zuma Jay" Wagner has not made an endorsement. 

The primary election will take place in June. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will face off in the November general election.