Laura Richardson CALIFORNIA announces candidacy for SENATE

Former U.S. representative Laura Richardson declared her candidacy for California’s 35th Senate District to replace Sen. Steven Bradford, who is termed out.

ALIFELONG Democrat, Richardson has spent most of her life living in the 35th Senate District. She previ- ously served in the California Assembly, representing the 55th District, and served in leadership as the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore and was the first African-American and South Bay representative to achieve this position.

“Throughout my time in public office, I worked hard, brought money and resources into my district, and in and in conjunction with a committed staff, resolved resident casework for disability and social security claims, significantly adding to much-needed benefits and payments for residents in my district,” said Richardson.

Some of the people who have already thrown their support behind Richardson include Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Compton Unified School District Board Member Micah Ali, and Compton Community College District Board Trustee Barbara Calhoun.

A recent sur- vey of likely March 2024 primary voters in California’s 35th State Senate District conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3 Research) shows Richardson to be a strong contender for this open seat.

“The survey found Richardson’s favorability rating to be similar to or better than most current and former elected officials with experience representing communities within the 35th Senate District and better than candidates expressing interest but have not served higher than the local office,” said John Fairbanks.

Richardson was born in Los Angeles and lives in San Pedro. She was raised by a single mother after her parents divorced when she was two. Her mother was a member of the Teamsters and remains a retiree today. Laura graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and earned her MBA from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business.

Richardson served on the Long Beach City Council from 2000 to 2006, and while serving in the Assembly in 2007 after the untimely passing of Congresswoman Juanita Millender McDonald, she was elected to

Compton celebrates Founder’s Day

The City of Compton celebrated its Founder’s Day on May 11 at the Dollarhide Community Center. Local political luminaries such as Sen. Steve Bradford and Assemblyman Mike Gipson as well as members of the Compton City Council attended the festive ceremony. Pictured here are (L-R, standing) Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, Aide Castro (assistant to Mike Gipson); (Bottom, L-R) Compton District 1 Councilwoman Deidre