Front-runner Heather Hutt continues to outpace the competition, securing more Democratic delegate votes than any other candidate
On Sunday, March 21, the Democratic Caucus met to decide which of three Dems they would be supporting for the special election for the 54th Assembly District seat. Heather Hutt, former California Statewide Director for then-U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, earned more votes than any other candidate in the California Democratic Party endorsement delegate vote for the upcoming May 18 special election for the 54th Assembly District seat.
According to the votes tallied, Hutt earned 25 delegate votes, which was more than any other candidate. In response, Hutt released the following statement:
“We are running a grass roots, people-powered campaign. Despite a wide-ranging field of candidates in this critically important special election, we were able to come out on top as the campaign with the most support from AD54 delegates. I’m deeply grateful for the support we earned from these key activists, who join our broad coalition of support from working families, women, young people, seniors, and neighborhood leaders across our district. I look forward to continuing our sprint towards the May 18 primary election.”
In yet another testament to her dedication to working families, today, then-Senator Kamala Harris’s California Statewide Director Heather Hutt garnered the endorsement of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 18, as well as UA Locals 250 and 761.
In announcing their support, IBEW Local 18 Business Manager Brian D’Arcy released the following statement:
“IBEW Local 18 is made up of thousands of essential workers that provide safe delivery of clean water and reliable power for millions of Angelenos. For our members and their families, it’s critical to have representation from voices that have a dedicated track record of protecting our wages, our rights, and our safety, time and time again. Heather Hutt has fought for working Californians throughout her career in public service, and we’re extremely confident she will continue to fight for us in Sacramento. IBEW Local 18 is excited to support Heather’s campaign for State Assembly District 54.”
In a statement released with their announced endorsement, Rudy Rodriguez, PAC Chairman of UA Local 250 had similar sentiments in his steadfast support of Hutt for Assembly. “The working men and women of UA Local 250 Steamfitters-Refrigeration are proud to give Heather Hutt our strong support and endorsement because she’s been a forceful leader on behalf of working people. As a public servant, Heather worked tirelessly to improve wages and working conditions for the hard-working people of California, as well as ensuring working men and women had the resources and PPE they needed during the COVID-19 crisis. Heather Hutt’s experience and proven track record are unrivaled in the race for 54th District, and we’re excited to support her campaign.”
Hutt was born and raised in Los Angeles and has dedicated her life to Democratic activism, public service, and the community. She recently served as the first Black U.S. Senate State Director in California’s history, and in her capacity serving Senator Harris, was the principal representative among constituents and elected leaders throughout California. She used her position to stand up for women by bringing together healthcare professionals to discuss implicit bias in health care, especially for women and women of color, as well as advocating for DACA recipients and fighting against the Trump Administration’s assault on Dreamers and immigrants.
“In a race where Heather could become only one of two African American women in the California Assembly, it is Heather’s experience working in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C., along with her life-long history of community advocacy in addressing homelessness, healthcare, affordable housing, police reform and environmental justice, which are all major reasons why we need to elect Heather Hutt to fill the vacant seat left by Sydney Kamlager-Dove as she has now moved on to the CA Senate,” stated former Congresswoman and Ambassador Diane Watson who previously represented the district and was the first African American woman elected to the California Legislature and Los Angeles Unified School Board.
Prior to her work in the U.S. Senate, Heather championed environmental justice policy changes for Watts and South Los Angeles while serving as the district director for California State Senator Isadore Hall. She also organized the Assembly Select Committee on Community Resources Impacted by AB109 Re-Entry as well as the Assembly Select Committee on Human Rights, Diversity and Race Relations.
Through her work as a California Democratic Party delegate and Treasurer of the CDP Black Caucus, Hutt has been an activist and organizer, working tirelessly to ensure civil rights, human rights, women’s rights, equality, economic and social justice for all people. In addition, she launched the “VOTE L.A.“ campaign, L.A. Cities Clean Air-Clean Water campaign, and shaped critical outreach to pass the “Durbin Bill,” which provided aid for small businesses. Heather is also the single mother of three sons.
Governor Gavin Newsom has called for a special election to be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 for the currently vacant 54th Assembly seat. The California State Assembly’s 54th District includes the communities of Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw, Culver City, Ladera Heights, Leimert Park, Mar Vista, Mid-City Los Angeles, Palms, West L.A., Westwood, and Windsor Hills in Los Angeles County.
