[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

The endorsement yesterday by popular Marin and Sonoma County Member of Congress Lynn Woolsey of San Francisco Assemblymember Mark Leno for the Third Senate seat speaks volumes of where the race now stands and what it means. In fact, it may be the deciding factor in this three way primary contest.

In giving Leno her support, Woolsey, an eight term Congressmember, cited Leno’s commitment to issues that matter most in the North Bay part of the district: "Mark Leno has built a strong record on behalf of the issues the people of my district care deeply about. I am proud to announce my support for him today. We can count on Mark to go to Sacramento and provide progressive leadership on the issues we all care about—a cleaner and more sustainable environment, universal, single-payer health care, better schools and access to affordable higher education."

In the 3rd Senate District Democratic primary, Leno faces incumbent Carole Migden and former Assemblyman Joe Nation. The district includes all of Marin County, southern Sonoma County, and the eastern portion of San Francisco. In the June primary a plurality rules. This is the election. The results will determine who holds this seat for at least the next four years as this is a heavily Democratic district.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

In the tight race for Senate District 3, Assemblymember Mark Leno scored a major endorsement today: Marin Congresswoman and progressive's progressive Lynn Woolsey.

"Mark Leno has built a strong record on behalf of the issues the people of my district care deeply about. I am proud to announce my support for him today," said Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey. "We can count on Mark to go to Sacramento and provide progressive leadership on the issues we all care about—a cleaner and more sustainable environment, universal, single-payer health care, better schools and access to affordable higher education."

"Congresswoman Woolsey's unwavering, progressive principles and steadfast leadership in Congress have proven invaluable to the families of Marin and Sonoma Counties," declared Assemblyman Mark Leno. "I am deeply honored by the faith and trust Congresswoman Woolsey has in me to represent the progressive democratic values of the North Bay in the State Senate. I look forward to partnering with her and working together on the challenging issues we face."

Woolsey's endorsement is a big deal, because she helps Leno corral the voters most out of reach for the Assemblymember. Leno is polling well, particularly in San Francisco proper, but Marin is former Assemblymember Joe Nation's turf, and of course, incumbent Senator Carole Migden has represented the region for the past four years.

by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey [courtesy of Calitics: Soapblox California - Front Page]

Crossposted at DailyKos

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