Zuma Jay Backs Osborn for State Assembly
The endorsement comes on the same day she receives the support of the Malibu Democratic Club.
Sunday was a good day for Torie Osborn, candidate for the state Assembly's 50th District seat. First, she received the endorsement of the Malibu Democratic Club. Later in the day, she got word that Malibu City Council member Jefferson "Zuma Jay" Wagner was backing her campaign.
Osborn announced the endorsement from Wagner, who until Sunday was the only council member who had not backed a candidate, through a press release issued on Monday.
"I couldn't be more honored and happy that both the Dem Club and Councilman Wagner support me," said Osborn, according to the release. "The Malibu community has an independent spirit I value and cares deeply about the issues that matter to me—particularly environmental protection."
The release also provided a statement attributed to Wagner.
"Torie electrified the crowd and demonstrated to me that we need her leadership, her vision and her abundance of bold and new ideas in Sacramento," said Wagner, according to the release. "She has a deep understanding of the many issues that Malibu residents are concerned about. As an independent, I look for candidates who can cross party boundaries, develop coalitions, and provide answers and common-sense solutions that will help to fix our state. That's why I am confident that she'll be an exceptional representative of our community."
There are three other candidates in the race—Democrats Betsy Butler and Richard Bloom and Republican Brad Torgan. Mayor Laura Zahn Rosenthal, Mayor Pro Tem Lou La Monte and Council member John Sibert have endorsed Butler and Bloom. Council member Pamela Conley Ulich has backed Butler, although she said after the forum on Sunday that she might also support Osborn
The three Democratic candidates will meet again at a forum on Sunday hosted by the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club.
Linda Lucks
6:30 pm on Monday, January 9, 2012
Who bought 40 memberships for non-Malibu residents to vote for Osborne? Sounds like the Malibu Dem. Club ought to change their bylaws.
Marta Evry
2:32 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Linda, it might have helped your candidate if she hadn't said she thought "development was too slow" in her opening statement.
Andy Lyon
3:16 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Yeah...That was a good opener for Betsy. Thanks, but-ler no thanks.
Athena Shlien
9:21 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
I was at the meeting and I can honestly say that at least twenty of the people that voted for Torie do live in Malibu. I am a Malibu resident and was surrounded by other Malibu residents that felt Torie had the best answers to most of the questions. I understand Betsy Butler has the support of many local politicians but we need the people to be able to decide or it would just lead to politics as usual. Even if just twenty people voted for Torie she still would have won. The votes speak for themselves. Betsy had five and Richard Bloom had zero. I think this was a reflection of their disconnect with the people of Malibu.
Marcia Hanscom
9:36 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
And I was on the other side of the room from Athena, also surrounded by Malibu residents -- some of whom were so enthused with hearing Torie Osborn's responses to questions about lagoon, overdevelopment, protecting nature and more that they showed other people their ballots, with a check marked by Torie Osborn.
So maybe those who came from other places in the district voted for "no endorsement" - thinking that those already endorsed by city council members would win the day. Regardless, it was clear which candidate resonated with Malibu residents - afterwards, Torie was surrounded by people who couldn't wait to shake her hand, give her a hug and tell her they would endorse her!