November 22, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Ben Allen Is No Fluke In 26th State Senate Win

L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky at state Senator-elect Ben Allen's election night party in Santa Monica. Photo by Brenton Garen
L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky at state Senator-elect Ben Allen’s election night party in Santa Monica. Photo by Brenton Garen

In the contest for the 26th state Senate district, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education member Ben Allen defeated women’s right activist and attorney Sandra Fluke in a race where both candidates were under the age of 40.

Allen, 37, claimed victory at Tuesday’s election with 60.78 percent of the vote (92,391 votes) to Fluke’s 39.22 percent of the vote (59,627 votes).

Allen will succeed state Senator Ted Lieu in a district that includes Santa Monica and other communities on the Westside and in the South Bay.

At Allen’s election night party at Warszawa restaurant in Santa Monica, retiring L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky spoke highly of Allen in front of several hundred of Allen’s supporters.

Zaroslavsky said he rarely endorsed political races, adding the only time he did was when he knew people inside and out, and had worked closely with them.

“I’m so thrilled that we have elected a Senator tonight from this part of California who is not just going to be a senator for the 26th District, but is going to be a California State Senator who is going to represent all the people of California and all the stakeholders in California and he is well prepared to step into that role,” Zaroslavsky said.

Zaroslavsky said Allen was running for the right reasons.

“The right reasons were to bring integrity, not just in a behavioral sense, but integrity in the policy making sense, integrity in the legislating sense, the kind of person who will build on the reputations of legislators who have built legacy in this part of this state.”

Zaroslavsky said he was so thrilled when Allen called him earlier this year regarding the state Senate seat after Congressman Henry Waxman announced his retirement, and Ted Lieu decided to give up his state Senate seat to chase Congress.

“In a moment of great weakness, he said ‘I need to have your endorsement this weekend because the Democratic party has got something going on and your endorsement would be great, and (state Senator) Fran Pavley has endorsed,’” Zaroslavsky said. “I said ‘okay – use my name.’ It all worked out thanks to him. People don’t elect people based on their endorsements; they elect people based on the candidate. And this candidate made an impression on the district. This state of California is lucky tonight to have elected a state Senator who is going to make a difference the minute he steps foot in that chamber.”

Allen spoke highly of his supporters, his campaign team, and his volunteers.

“I’m really going to work so hard to not let you down, to make you proud, to be someone you will have been have proud to have helped put into this position,” Allen said. “It’s an incredibly sacred position, it’s a position of public trust, and it’s an extraordinary district that is a very special one and so dear to me. This is the district where I was born and raised, this is where my family is, this is where I grew up, this is where my people are, it’s such an honor to have the opportunity to represent this district in Sacramento and also of course serve the people of the entire state of California.”

In an email to supporters on Wednesday, Allen said he was honored to have the opportunity.

“Whether it’s job creation, environmental protection, investment in infrastructure, or strengthening our schools, I am ready to tackle these issues with you,” Allen said. “I hope you’ll continue to participate in the process and work with me on improving the community we treasure.”

Allen and Fluke, 33, both Democrats, came in first and second place, respectively, out of a pool of eight candidates in the June primary election.

Allen will now resign from his position on the SMMUSD Board of Education with the swearing in ceremony for the state Senate scheduled for Dec. 1.

Related Posts

Video Shows Officer-Involved Shooting Outside SMPD Station

November 22, 2024

November 22, 2024

Officials Have Issued a Viewer Advisory, Cautioning That the Material May Be Distressing The Santa Monica Police Department has released...

Donate Blood and Save Lives at Culver City Fire Station This Weekend

November 22, 2024

November 22, 2024

Get a T-Shirt, Gift Card for Participating in the Cedars-Sinai Blood Drive The Culver City Rotary Club, in collaboration with...

LAPD Motorcycle Officer Hospitalized After 405 Freeway Crash in Sepulveda Pass

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Collision Near Skirball Center DrivePossibly Involving a Tesla Caused Major Traffic  The 405 Freeway was the scene of a motorcycle...

Santa Monica Police Release Body Cam Footage of Deadly Force Incident Outside Headquarters

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Graphic Video Shows a Violent Assault on an SMPD Officer by a Knife-Wielding Suspect The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD)...

Breakaway Café Opens New Venice Location with Beachside Grab-and-Go Window

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Bayse Brothers Bring Their Signature Breakfast Dishes and Good Vibes to Venice Breakaway Café, a popular breakfast and lunch eatery...

Last Minute Additions to the Best Thanksgiving 2024 Feasts and Pies To Go

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

If Other Faves are Sold Out, Here’s All The Quality Places to Try Now Celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary...

Everytable’s Holiday Meal Collaboration To Support LA’s Unhoused Youth

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Chef Created Thanksgiving Meal Benefits My Friend’s Place. Everytable, the mission-driven company committed to making scratch-cooked, nutritious meals accessible to...

Los Angeles City Council Codifies Sanctuary Protections for Migrants with New Citywide Ordinance

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Mayor Bass Prioritized the Ordinance after Trump’s Mass Deportation Threats The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to officially...

The Palms Community Council’s Executive Committee Schedules Special Meeting for Nov. 20

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Meeting to Address Open Board Positions and Committee Updates The Executive Committee will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov....

Hammer Museum Presents 10th Edition of MoMA Contenders: Screenings, Conversations with Top Filmmakers

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Lineup Features Films by Steve McQueen, Sean Baker, and Brady Corbett The Hammer Museum will host the 10th edition of...

Film Review: Wicked

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

By Dolores Quintana Director John Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights) has crafted an effervescent take on the blockbuster...

Randy’s Donuts Arrives in Culver City with Free Donuts and a $250 Gift Card Giveaway

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Grand Opening on November 19 Includes Sweet Giveaways Starting at 6:00 a.m. The time is finally here. Randy’s Donuts is...

Nicole Nagel’s Futuristic Eric Moss Designed Brentwood Home To Hit Auction Block

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

The Spaceship-Like Property Heads to Auction With No Reserve in December German actress Nicole Nagel, who was part of the...

LA Controller Kenneth Meija: City Left $513 Million of Homelessness Budget Unspent

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

Inefficiencies Blamed for Underspending Despite Record Allocation in FY2024  The City of Los Angeles hasn’t spent over half of its...

West LA College Expands Zero-Cost Textbook Programs with $600K Grant

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

College Aims for 50 Zero-Cost Textbook Programs by 2025  West Los Angeles College (West) is expanding its zero-cost textbook program...