State Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Culver City) climbed closer to heaven last evening than most politicians ever get.
Stepping out as fresh as the new season of summer in a stylish, 3-button mint-green suit, buttoned but necktie-free, the senator launched the homestretch of his campaign for a seat on the County Board of Supervisors from a lush hilltop that rang out with symbolism.
[img]133|left|Mark Ridley Thomas||no_popup[/img] He was eager to build on his primary election victory, which included a 51% to 36% margin over rival Bernard Parks in Culver City.
With the practiced silky ease that comes naturally to one who has been a public figure for nearly 30 years, Sen. Ridley-Thomas quietly glided across the gently sloping grounds of a woodsy estate in the smart View Park section of the Baldwin Hills.
For those who were supping or noshing, the throbbing jazz sounds of singer/supporter Barbara Morrison, eye-catching in a wide-brimmed headwear, completed an ideal campaign portrait.
No Wonder It Is View Park
Even as Sen. Ridley-Thomas moved among the cozy white, round tables where guests chatted softly, under Ms. Morrison’s music, everyone was afforded a breathtaking panoramic view of the Los Angeles Basin that the senator intends to govern.
More certain than ever that the force is with him after solidly defeating Mr. Parks by 5-plus points on June 3 in the 9-way primary election, the senator opens the 19-week runoff with both momentum and the favorite’s mantel.
Unlike his decade older rival who went on holiday this month, the 53-year-old senator has been hammering out summer and autumn tactics with his closest advisors the last 3 weeks.
“Strategizing, working and trying to rest up,” he said.
But there is no need to make major changes when you are winning.
“If the campaign ends with my being 6 points ahead of Mr. Parks, as I am now at the conclusion of the primary, I will be just happy with that, thank you very much,” Sen. Ridley-Thomas said.
As for Money
“What I will do is work harder. What I will do is raise more money.”
He hopes to virtually double the $800,000 he raised during the primary, reaching the maximum allowable of $1.5 million. However, the Ridley-Thomas camp hopes that union financial support will make the difference in November just as it did in the primary when $4.4 million was generated.
The breadth of the senator’s triumph is shown in his head-to-head battles with Councilman Parks in each Councilmanic district. Sen. Ridley Thomas won 6 out of 7, the exception being Janice Hahn’s 15th District, the Harbor area of San Pedro. He even outpolled Mr. Parks in his own Council district, although it must be noted that, ahem, this is where the senator has resided for the past 30 years. He also won the districts of Council members Herb Wesson, Jan Perry, Tom LaBonge, Jack Weiss and Bill Rosendahl.
Being Personal Is Best
Turning to his old-fashioned trademark style of campaigning, the senator said he is a face-to-face kind of guy. He eschews elaborate signage, for example, which nettles some of his supporters. Cost is one factor. He says why spend $3 on a yard sign when he can more effectively meet and greet the voter? He believes that he can shake hands with virtually every voter he needs to convince by November.
“I will get to every corner of the 2nd Supervisorial District to impress upon the constituents throughout the district of my commitment to work very hard for them, to focus on the question of healthcare in the County of Los Angeles, to make public safety a high priority, to deal with environmental issues as they come before the people in the County but specifically in the 2nd District, and the impact of transportation, environmentally and economically,” Sen. Ridley-Thomas said.
“There is a message to be carried. This is a message of change vs. the status quo. I am not an apologist for the status quo. There is significant voter discontent, and I intend to articulate a message that makes it abundantly clear, as an advocate for change and for leadership.”
