Field for Candidates Running for State Senate in the 26th Widens

Former Assemblywoman Betsy Butler and Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth both announced today they are running for the 26th District state Senate seat.

The seat is being vacated by Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, who is running to
replace the retiring Rep. Henry Waxman.

Butler and Howorth are both Democrats.

“California is facing many challenges but we are resilient and committed to finding the answers on a wide range of issues including water, environmental justice, equality, opportunity for all and an investment in the future of our children,” Butler said. “It would be an honor to return to Sacramento to fight for the residents of the 26th Senate District and work to ensure that California remains vibrant.”

Howorth said she was entering the race “to bring common-sense ideas to California's many challenges”

“I plan to bring a pragmatic, local government perspective to Sacramento to help tackle our state's biggest issues, from improving our schools, to protecting our environment, to reducing traffic, to strengthening our economy, to expanding our middle class, to making California a model state for responsiveness and excellence in government,” she said.

Attorney and women's rights advocate Sandra Fluke is also seeking the 26th District seat. She had endorsed Butler's previously announced candidacy for the open 62nd Assembly District seat.

Ben Allen, a member of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education, is also running for the Senate seat, which covers an area stretching from West Hollywood to Torrance.