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WESTSIDE - In what has to be one of the most competitive open seat primaries in all of California, this large field seems to be narrowing and consolidating as voters begin to receive ballots in this battle to succeed retiring Senator Ben Allen (D-24) of Santa Monica who now has his sights set on becoming California's next Insurance Commissioner.
Based on spending and the volume of campaigning by the candidates, newcomer Brian Goldsmith, college school trustee Dr. Sion Roy, West Hollywood Councilmember John Erickson and Venice attorney Mike Newhouse round out the top tier of candidates.
All Democrats, and where they fit in the political spectrum of this wide net seems to be the difference voters will need to consider when casting their votes on June 2nd.
Based on their positions and rhetoric, Roy and Erickson seem to represent the progressive left, with Erickson as the most liberal. Both Goldsmith and Newhouse are the more pragmatic Democrats, seeking the center lane when it comes to homelessness, crime, public safety, and quality-of-life concerns.
Newhouse proudly views his candidacy as the preferred, “police-endorsed" Democrat, as he has captured the lion's share of these association endorsements, now at eight. Choosing to brand himself as the reliable moderate, he leans on his small business background, consensus building approach, and community advocacy as the right stuff of experience that will appeal to most voters.
A resident of Venice, he seeks to join LA Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11) as the second elected official from that urban beach enclave. Of all the candidates, Newhouse prefers an "outsider" status and has the most detailed plan to solve the homelessness crisis from his rivals. A former neighborhood council president and previous member of the Los Angeles Planning Commission, Newhouse has also picked up support from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Democrats for Israel of Los Angeles.
Brian Goldsmith, the pragmatic entrepreneur, lawyer and Beverly Hills resident has amassed the largest war chest of all the candidates currently as his time as a media consultant and advisor to marquee political figures such as Hillary Clinton have served him well. His ability to secure national endorsements outside the district include former US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, retired US Senator Barbara Boxer, and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis.
Goldsmith is running almost as if he's the Democratic nominee, preferring to set his sights on President Donald Trump and what he describes as this "economic squeeze" on California. Goldsmith calls for the streamlining of new home construction, down payment assistance for homebuyers, and dedicated funding for universal childcare.
Dr. Sion Roy, the Santa Monica cardiologist and college trustee received the official endorsement of the California Democratic Party, something he emphasizes on the trail and in direct mail. A victim of the Palisades fires speaks to the expansion of healthcare, universal pre-K, and work to reduce the costs of gas, groceries and utilities. He has the support of liberal icon, US Rep. Maxine Waters and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and the California Medical Association (CMA).
In a race that has been to date relatively sleepy, Roy finds himself on the receiving end of negative attacks by the California Chamber of Commerce, for his past support of former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon who was soundly defeated for reelection. The mailing accuses Roy of supporting the defunding of police budgets.
The most progressive of any of the Democratic foursome is West Hollywood Councilmember John Erickson, who if elected would join former colleague and LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath on a far larger political stage. The most established elected official in the race, Erickson has strong LGBTQ advocacy and support as a member of that community. His political base is solid, and organizational skills are exceptional for a crowded primary contest.
Erickson moved up the political ladder from West Hollywood city staffer to council member and has served as Vice-President for Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles and has secured the endorsements of three of the five sitting members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, which includes Horvath, Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis.
And like Dr. Roy, Erickson has also felt the wrath of independent expenditure attacks regarding junkets to Europe and other luxury destinations as examples of wasteful spending. Chief of Staff for the Alliance for a Better Community, he has also secured the endorsement of NOW Hollywood and Equality California.
While Goldsmith's fundraising has translated to district-wide reach, Erickson is relying on established name identification with important Democratic Party constituencies as the preferred progressive. With no single candidate dominating the district, Each candidate is trying to build off local bases of support in the case of Newhouse in Venice, Roy in Santa Monica and Erickson in West Hollywood.
In a field of candidates so crowded and no candidate with a reliable lead, advancement to the November general might only require 20-25% of the primary tally, which gives hope to those in single digits with just a few weeks to go.
And at this stage, some outcomes can see Erickson potentially against Newhouse or Goldsmith, or Roy surging and finishing second against Erickson. Even a scenario that has the more "problem solvers" in the race, Newhouse vs. Goldsmith as the more appealing message to primary voters.
With the field of candidates rolling out endorsements to persuade versus any internal polling data, it suggests a race with a high degree of undecided voters even at this late stage of the contest.
While there’s no official “final four,” if you’re looking at who’s truly in striking distance as voters head to the polls, Newhouse, Goldsmith, Erickson and Roy are seemingly the core contenders.
If there is a wild card, Eric Alegria will need a maximum, near-perfect regional turnout from his South Bay base of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Bay Cities to pull that electoral "inside straight" and advance.
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of the Westside and is covering the open seat contest to succeed the retiring Ben Allen here in LD-24. A former legislative aide to the NJ General Assembly and Senate; the author is a regular contributor to City Watch Los Angeles. Have a tip or a take? E-mail him at nantoni@mindpsring.com)
