“I woke up this morning to the next chapter — and I am ready,” said Kamlager, who currently serves in the state Assembly. In her current role,Kamlager represents the 54th District, which includes Baldwin Hills and Ladera Heights.
“Last night was our win,” she continued. “If you are Black, Brown, Asian, Native American, a woman, LGBT, a worker, a small business owner, a proud union member; if you are fighting for social, racial, environmental, criminal or economic justice; if you are an artist, a truth-seeker or truth-teller; if you believe in true emancipation from systems designed to shame and defeat us – then this is your win, too.”
Senate Pro-Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) says she looks forward to working with Kamlager and the Senator-elect can count on her support.
“Extending a big congratulations and welcome to my soon-to-be fellow Senator,”Atkins tweeted. “Asm. Kamlager is a champion for women’s rights, civil rights, criminal justice reform and equality.”
Winning two-thirds of the vote, Kamlager bested seven other hopefuls, including her closest contender Culver City Councilman Daniel Lee, who is also African American and a Democrat. Lee won 13.46% of the vote, according to uncertified election results provided by the Los Angeles County clerk’s office Tuesday.
About 10.35% of all eligible voters in the district participated in the special election.
“Sydney has shown her dedication to her district and this win shows that they believe in her and trust her leadership,” said Taisha Brown, chair of the California Democratic Party Black Caucus. “I am honored that we once again have a Black woman as a state senator.
Brown says she has to remind her fellow Democrats that although 90 percent of all Black women consistently vote for Democratic candidates, the make–up of the party’s leadership does not reflect the high levels of grassrootsinvolvement andthe deep commitment of Afr
So far, two African American Angelenos have thrown their hats in for Kamlager’s Assembly seat: Heather Hutt, Vice President Kamala Harris’ former state director when she was U.S. Senator, and Isaac Bryan, executive director at UCLA’s Black Policy Project.
Supervisor Mitchell has endorsed Bryan. His other endorsements include several progressive groups, including Black Lives Matters LA, and Los Angelescity councilmembers Mark Ridley-Thomas and Mike Bonin; author and artist Patrisse Cullors; CSU professor Dr. Melina Abdullah; and former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs.
Hutt’s list of high-profile endorsers includes Assemblymembers
