U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN GRACE NAPOLITANO ENDORSES BEN ALLEN FOR STATE SENATE

Congresswoman Cites Allen as Future Leader in Education and Job Creation

Santa Monica, CA—Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board Member Ben Allen has earned the endorsement of U.S. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano in Allen's campaign for California's 26th State Senate District. "Ben Allen's deep roots in the community, his evident leadership skills, and ability to seek common-sense solutions to any problem make him the most qualified candidate. For these reasons, I recommend Ben and support his candidacy for California's 26th State Senate District," said U.S. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano.   “I am so fortunate to have the endorsement and support of Congresswoman Napolitano, who has been a long-time advocate for Southern California.  Throughout her many years of public service, she has been a powerful leader on important issues like improving access to mental health services, reducing gun violence, building a strong state infrastructure system, and protecting our precious natural resources. I look forward to joining her in that work,” said Ben Allen.   First elected to U.S. Congress in November 1998, Congresswoman Napolitano is now serving her eighth term in Congress, currently representing California’s 32nd Congressional District.  Since her election into the House of Representatives, she has held many notable positions, including serving as a co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, a former chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, a long-time member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and a senior member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  Prior to serving in Congress, Napolitano was a member of the California State Assembly for six years. She began her career in public service on the Norwalk City Council in the Los Angeles area, serving six years, including two as Mayor. With her endorsement, Napolitano joins a long list of well-respected elected officials who are backing Allen for the State Senate, the only candidate who grew up in the District and who has represented Californians as a public servant at the state and local levels. He has earned the endorsements of some of the region's most popular and respected leaders, including U.S. Representative Henry Waxman and former U.S. Representatives Anthony Beilenson, Howard Berman, Yvonne Burke, and Mel Levine; Los Angeles County Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and former Los Angeles County Supervisor Ed Edelman; State Senators Jerry Hill and Fran Pavley; former State Senators Tom Hayden and Alan Sieroty; Assemblymembers Richard Bloom, Steven Bradford, Isadore Hall, III, and Adrin Nazarian; former Assemblymembers Terry Friedman, Warren Furutani, Richard Katz, Tony Mendoza, and George Nakano; Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Koretz, Paul Krekorian, and Tom Labonge. For the full list of Ben Allen's endorsements, please click here. Ben Allen placed first among a crowded field in the open primary for the 26th State Senate District, held on June 3, 2014.     The 26th State Senate District consists of the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, El Segundo, Avalon, Lomita, Torrance, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills; the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Westchester, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood, Westwood Village, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Little Holmby, Sunset Hills, Beverly Grove, Mar Vista, Mid City West, Miracle Mile, Larchmont Village, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Fairfax, Carthay, Fremont Place, Hancock Park, and Windsor Square; and the unincorporated Los Angeles County communities of Marina Del Rey, San Clemente Island, Santa Catalina Island, Franklin, Centinela, and Ocean View.