April 3, 2025 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

Scoop Dreams Come True: Van Leeuwen Launches New Beverly Hills Shop

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Van Leeuwen’s Beverly Hills Opening Comes With Sweet Perks Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, a New York City-born brand celebrated for...

WeHo’s WeHappy Wednesdays Serve Up Big Discounts In Addition to Zero Parking Fees

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Free Parking and $5 Cocktails? WeHo Makes Wednesdays Worth It The City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Chamber...

Saijo Hand Roll Rolls into Culver City with Premium Japanese Ingredients

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Binchotan-Fired Perfection: Saijo Rolls Out Premium Sushi in West LA A new destination for hand rolls and Japanese culinary craftsmanship...

(Video) Check Out Bernie’s, a New Pop Up at Citizen Public Market in Culver City

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Made with fresh frozen fruit and a toasted merengue topping these flavors are irresistible. The pop up will be at...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...

Levain Bakery to Open Venice Location with Special Guests and Charitable Twist

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bigger Than a Cookie: Levain’s Venice Opening Is a Flavorful Fundraiser Levain Bakery, the cult-favorite cookie destination founded in New...

LAX Airport Server Finds Hate-Filled Message From Unidentified Diners

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Waiter Says He Was Stunned by the Message Left by Customers Guillermo Ortiz, who works at Planet Hollywood inside the...

Sunset Strip Staple Le Petit Four Shuts Down After Landlord Pulls the Plug

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

End of an Era: Le Petit Four Forced to Close in West Hollywood In a stunning reversal to the upbeat...

Metro LA Pushes Back Sepulveda Transit Community Meetings

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Environmental Review Delay Prompts Metro to Reschedule  Metro announced that community meetings scheduled for early April to discuss the Sepulveda...

County Board Approves New Homeless Agency, Redirecting Millions from Existing System

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

With Billions on the Line, LA County Moves to Centralize Homeless Response Los Angeles County is making a dramatic shift...

Put the Phone Down: LAPD and CHP Targets Distracted Drivers in April Crackdown

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Hands-Free Law Violations Could Now Cost You More Than Just a Fine Throughout April, the Los Angeles Police Department will...

Five Arrested in Culver City After Attempted Carjacking and Vandalism Incident

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Gun, Warrants, and Broken Glass: Culver City Police Tackle Two Crimes Police arrested four juveniles in connection with an attempted...

Kim Delaney, Partner Cleared After Weekend Arrest in Marina del Rey

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Emmy-Winning Actress and Partner James Morgan Released Kim Delaney, the Emmy-winning actress recognized for her roles in NYPD Blue and...

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/fDDgcY6b3e For Tickets and More Information.#amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer #spring...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū will soon...