[img]1987|right|Sebastian Ridley-Thomas||no_popup[/img]Just released semi-annual finance reports reveal that Democrat Sebastian Ridley-Thomas vastly outraised his principal opponent, Joey Hill, for a special election for the state Assembly seat presently held by Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City).
On Sept. 17, Ms. Mitchell is expected to handily win the state Senate seat formerly held by Curren Price (D-Culver City) who was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in May.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas, son of County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, raised $102,310 from about 80 contributors before the end of the filing period, all coming in the last weeks of June.
Mr. Hill, the only other candidate to open a campaign committee, raised $5100 from six contributors.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas has been endorsed by a broad chorus of incumbents and former elected officials, including Assemblymembers Chris Holden, Steve Bradford, Isadore Hall, Shirley Weber, Cheryl Brown and Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles City Council members president Herb Wesson,Mr. Price, Paul Koretz, Joe Buscaino, former member Bill Rosendahl, former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez,former Senate Pro Tem Don Perata and former Assemblymember Jose Solorio.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas is Mr. Price’s senior deputy for education, economic development and health. Previously, when Mr. Price was in Sacramento, Mr. Ridley-Thomas was his policy director and chief liaison to faith-based organizations and clergy in South Los Angeles.
