In the game of musical chairs that has been created in California politics, Culver City voters will soon again have the opportunity to vote for a candidate for the 54th Assembly District.
Now that current 54th Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell (D- Culver City) has won the Democratic primary as was expected for the 28th District state Senate seat, her seat will now be vacant until Gov. Jerry Brown sets a date for special election.
Mitchell was reelected to theassembly in last year, so it will be back to the polls sooner than most had thought. She decided to throw her hat into the ring after former state Sen. Curren Price (D- Culver City) ran for and was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in June.
The assembly race to replace Mitchell could prove to be an interesting one, with Sebastian Ridley-Thomas squaring off against a son of Culver City, Christopher Armenta. Armenta is a former city treasurer and councilman who stepped down in 2012 when he was up for reelection. He served as mayor for one term, as do all members of Culver City’s council.
Sebastian Ridley- Thomas is the son of County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who represents Culver City. The younger Ridley-Thomas served as a strategic analyst and public policy director to Price when he was in the state Senate. He was also the political director of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Armenta has his work cut out for him, as the younger Ridley-Thomas has higher name recognition throughout the district, largely due in part to his father. The supervisor’s son has also racked up a slew of significant endorsements from influential political leaders.
“As the former mayor of Culver City with over 25 years of government accounting and auditing experience it would be a great privilege and honor to continue my public service as your representative,” the candidate wrote on his website. Armenta did not return calls for comment at News press time.
Other contenders who have declared their intentions for Mitchell’s former seat include transit activist Damien Goodman, who is chair of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition, Democratic Party activist Loren Scott, Erick Morales, a board member of the South Robertson Neighborhood Council and Joey Hill, who is chief of staff to Assemblyman Reggie Jones- Sawyer (D-Los Angeles).