Politics & Government

Campaign Notebook: Mailer, Parties

A political mailer sent by Janice Hahn days before Tuesday's election receives a swift response.

Political mailers sent out by Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn's campaign just days before Tuesday's congressional election evoked strong criticism Friday from her Democratic rivals.

One of the mailers has an image of sculptor Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" and asks voters, "Still thinking about who to vote for on Tuesday?" The pamphlet includes a side-by-side comparison of Hahn, teacher and anti-war activist  Marcy Winograd and California Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

The mailer shines a favorable light on Hahn and even Winograd, but claims that Bowen throughout her career has received contributions from oil and drug companies and gambling interests.

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Environmental leaders quickly stepped up to back Bowen and sent an open letter to Hahn on Friday urging her to stop the "misleading and untruthful attacks" on Bowen.

"It is astonishing that you would attack Debra for accepting oil company contributions when over the years you have accepted, and continue to accept, tens of thousands of dollars from oil company CEOs, CFOs, presidents and other officers for your congressional campaign," said a letter addressed to Hahn that was co-signed by Assemblywoman Betsy Butler (D-Marina del Rey), retired state Sen. Sheila Kuehl and five others.

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It seems particularly hypocritical when, in your attack mailer, the oil-related contributors you cite include some of the same donors from whom you have accepted thousands of dollars for your congressional campaign," the letter continued.

Bowen also received support from Mark Gold, president of the environmental group Heal the Bay.

"I've known Debra Bowen for over 20 years since her days as a member of Heal the Bay's legal committee. Debra has always been a strong environmental leader and a reliable environmental vote. No one should question her environmental leadership,” Gold said in a statement.

The Sierra Club and the California League of Conservation Voters, which both endorsed Bowen, also stood behind her environmental record.

Winograd entered the fray by saying in a statement that she was observing the pre-election mudslinging between Hahn and Bowen over who took more oil, energy and insurance money while reminding voters that she is the only Democrat who has refused all corporate contributions.

"I am not in anyone's pocket and unlike my opponents, I vow never to be beholden to big-money special interests," Winograd said.

Hahn campaign manager Dave Jacobson sent an email to supporters Friday lamenting recent attacks on Hahn and said her campaign has been the "most substantive, positive and forward thinking" in the race.

"We wish we could have gotten to Election Day focused on the issues, but this is the unfortunate reality of political campaigns and it's something we needed to respond to. Despite the back and forth, Janice remains focused on her plan for green energy jobs and getting out of our conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan," Jacobson said.

Political Party Place

The luxury boutique Shade Hotel in downtown Manhattan Beach seems to have become the hot spot for recent campaign fundraiser events in the South Bay.

Democratic candidate and Hollywood producer  at the hotel and songstress Macy Gray provided live music for the event.

Republican candidate Hermosa Beach City Councilman  held a fundraiserWednesday night at the hotel.

The venue has been known to host some of the Beach Cities social elite.

Former Insurance Commissioner Endorses Bobko

Former California State Insurance Commissioner , who lost to former eBay CEO Meg Whitman in the Republican gubernatorial primary last year, has endorsed Bobko for Congress.

Bobko is one of six Republicans in the crowded field of 16 candidates vying for the open seat in Congress.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Hermosa Beach