I am glad to see you are covering the election in Assembly District 54 to replace Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (who resigned for health reasons).
http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/news/first-name-sebastians-seat
That said, your story on Monday omitted two LGBT candidates who have also entered the race — Steve Dunwoody, a gay veteran, and Ashlee Marie Preston, a trans journalist and civil rights activist.
Mr. Dunwoody, California Director of Veterans Voice, has been running in A.D. 54 for several months.
So he is indisputably the first candidate to run for Sebastian’s seat other than the resigning incumbent.
https://www.dunwoodyforcalifornia.com
https://www.facebook.com/dunwoodyforcalifornia/posts/544914235857817?pnref=story
In light of these facts, you may want to correct the headline: “First Name for Sebastian’s Seat.”
The lead is also not accurate: “Sydney Kamlager-Dove, president of the Community College District Board and aide to state Sen. Holly Mitchell, today became the first, candidate to announce for the state Assembly seat ailing Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Culver City/Crenshaw District) vacated last week.”
Meanwhile, I hope you will publish content about the historic announcement of Ashlee Marie Preston for the A.D. 54 seat.
If elected, Ms. Preston would be the only openly trans legislator in California, the only openly trans person-0f-color in a legislature nationwide, and the second actively serving trans legislator in addition to Virginia’s recently elected Danica Roem. There are 7,383 legislative seats nationwide.
Ms. Preston’s candidacy is already taking social media by storm and has received international press attention.
I would hope that the local press would also recognize the historic nature of Ms. Preston’s candidacy. Appended, below, is a report from her campaign.
https://twitter.com/AshleeMPreston/status/947156978903654401
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214931181302162&set=a.1569250680320.2081709.1507058604
National and international coverage:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ashlee-marie-preston-office_us_5a4a54c0e4b06d1621ba05ed
Thank you.
All the best,
Sean Kolodji
Here is the story from Ms. Preston’s campaign:
Civil rights activist and journalist Ashlee Marie Preston has decided to run for the state Assembly seat in District 54 with the resignation of Sebastian Ridley-Thomas.
Ms. Preston came to notoriety with her activism work around civil rights for women, people of color, immigrants and the LGBTQ community.
She has served on boards for groups such as Stonewall Democratic Club, Transgender Service Provider Network, LA Pride, The Human Rights Campaign, Trans Can Work, Mirror Memoirs, and Gender Odyssey Los Angeles. She took greater interest in the political sphere as police brutality, trans discrimination, rape culture, and unjust immigration policies became prevalent in the national discussion.
Ms. Preston has appeared in several diversity and inclusion campaigns within the media and was named one of Root 100’s Most Influential African Americans of 2017. She was also featured as one of the Top 40 LGBTQ’s of 2017 by Logo, NewNowNext & PopSugar.
” …As someone directly impacted by the issues that often diminish the quality of life,” Ms. Preston said, “I have an acute understanding of which policies must be put into play in order to move progress forward for the constituents of the 54th district and beyond.
“I believe in prioritizing people over politics. We are more than poll percentage points. We are real people with real stories.
“I fully intend to continue honoring those experiences, and advocating for those who don’t have a seat at the table.”
Though a date has not been set, a special election is expected by spring. Ms. Preston is excited to represent the voices of 300,000 registered voters within her district.
Mr. Kolodji may be contacted at skolodji@gmail.com