Muratsuchi Announces Endorsements

The race for California's new 66th Assembly District is apparently getting some national attention, as U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) announced his endorsement of Torrance school board member and Democrat Al Muratsuchi for the assembly seat last week, according to a news release from Muratsuchi's campaign.

Muratsuchi and Torrance businessman Craig Huey, a Republican, beat out Republican Nathan Mintz in the June top-two jungle primary for their spots on November's ballot.

"(Muratsuchi's) work as a deputy attorney general with the California Department of Justice and as a board member of the Torrance Unified School District provides the proper mix of experience that will serve him well in the state legislature," Inouye said in the news release. "He understands and works to uphold the law while ensuring that the children in his district have access to the education they need to realize their potential and pursue their ambitions."

In an email to reporters, Muratsuchi for Assembly campaign manager Sergio Carrillo said it "speaks volumes" to receive endorsements from "respected national leaders like Sen. Inoye."

Additionally, Carillo noted that Palos Verdes Estates Mayor George Bird, Torrance City Councilman Bill Sutherland and Water Replenishment District of Southern California board member Rob Katherman—who all endorsed Mintz in the primary—had endorsed Muratsuchi instead of another Republican.

Redondo Beach City Councilman Bill Brand, a Democrat, has also endorsed Muratsuchi.

Cities in the new 66th Assembly District include Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Torrance.