In a not-quite-overwhelming-enough display of support, Long Beach Vice Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal received 67.3 percent of the vote at the Democratic Party’s Pre-Primary Endorsement Conference on Saturday—two votes shy of the 70 percent she needed for the party’s official backing in her campaign against Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga for the 54th District seat in the State Assembly.

Lowenthal seemed unfazed, predicting she’ll get the endorsement at the Democrats’ state convention, to be held March 28-30 in San Jose. And why not?

The lopsided vote count Saturday—35 for Lowenthal, 12 for Reyes Uranga, 5 decline-to-endorse—revealed the extensive framework of the alliances built by the most-powerful political family in Long Beach. A dozen of the delegates who voted for her are either relatives—ex-husband state Senator Alan Lowenthal and daughter-in-law Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal—or members of their staffs . . . or spouses or fiancés of staff members . . . or an ex-staff member . . . or Bonnie herself . . . or her boyfriend. That was more than one-third of her support and nearly one-quarter of the 52 votes cast. Senator Lowenthal appointed six of the voters.

“It’s pretty intimidating, when you look at that list,” said Reyes Uranga, who was relieved to have blocked Lowenthal’s endorsement Saturday and was hopeful that a few weeks of campaigning may change the landscape before the convention. “Either my family is not big enough or my kids—who just turned 21—need to get it together.”

Lowenthal acknowledged her candidacy has some advantages—beginning with the fact that nobody with her last name has ever lost an election—but suggests that they are overrated. She insists she has had to earn her four victories—two to the school board, two to the City Council.

“Name identification is very important, without a doubt,” she says. “And I’m very proud to have Alan’s endorsement. But I’m running on my history. I’m known for what I have done, not only for my last name.”

Reyes Uranga, who is in her second term on the council from westside Long Beach’s Seventh District, is circumspect.

“Having every one of your relatives on the delegate list sure doesn’t hurt,” she says. “If the No. 1 mission of someone in power is to stay in power, well, the Lowenthals are sure doing that very well.”

Tags: bonnie lowenthal, city council, Long Beach, State Assembly, Tonia Reyes Uranga

COMMENTS

1

Great article on the Lowenthal spiderweb, but you missed Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell (former staffer to Bonnie’s ex-husband, Alan Lowenthal) and his Chief of Staff, Brigit Sramek (also former Alan Lowenthal staffer). Talk about stacking the deck against Reyes Uranga!

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Posted By LB Guy on March 19th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
2

what a concept that staffers to political people might be political themselves! Oh, and would you really think that anyone who cares enough to work for a politician would support their OPPONENT?!?!? Your article is not news nor is it relevant. Uranga’s comments are just sour grapes, and I wonder why you are giving her so much room to air them.

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Posted By Leland Bicelanders on March 19th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
3

The story and the diagram are not meant to infer a scandal. They merely display the infrastructure of a political alliance that has been constructed by a family around its family members — an alliance that has become perhaps the most-powerful in Long Beach. That may not be news to you (sounds like you follow the city’s politics closely) but I imagine it is a bit of a revelation to many others … and the Democrats’ Pre-Primary Endorsement Conference offered an especially clear opportunity to illustrate it. I also happen to disagree with you about its relevance — I think it is important to understand how our political system works … how alliances are formed and how they function. That’s called Political Science. As far as giving Reyes Uranga the opportunity to air her “sour grapes,” I hope you noticed that I didn’t allow her opinions to stand alone. The story includes Bonnie Lowenthal’s unapologetic answer to the suggestion that her family name and connections might give her an advantage — and she agrees that it does! But Lowenthal also maintains that these advantages are essentially the results of her long history of activism and office-holding — that she has earned them — and that this history is what will most-influence voters on election day. So, what’s your beef?

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Posted By Dave Wielenga on March 20th, 2008 at 8:08 am
4

Finally! The family connections and their stacked nominations are finally documented for everyone to see. The LA County Democratic Party’s local endorsement process for a local election just two years ago had a lowenthology map very much like this one. That “democratic endorsement” took place in a small room with the candidate’s husband, her mother’s boyfriend and a few sycophants who knew in advance their duty to the family was to rubber-stamp an endorsement decision already made in Sacramento and San Francisco. The same is true of the local “young dem” endorsements where the candidates family and hangers-on, some many years past “young,” pack a room to bullet vote their self-interests.

The packing of the process with paid staffers, people who have benefited from their Lowenthal connections, and family members is really an expression of insecurity and lack in confidence that the “ordinary” dem’s would do the right thing. There is just something very undemocratic and anti-progressive about this approach to politics. The city is too big and the issues too important to leave it to just one family political machine. Let’s turn the page.

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Posted By LBCynic on March 21st, 2008 at 9:48 pm
5

Wow, I had no idea this is how the endorsement process worked. It doesn’t seem very fair. It’s actually pretty disappiointing that the best candidate may not even win, you just have to be the most powerful. I certainly don’t want another dynasty ruling just because they can. Thank you Dave Wielenga for shining the light. Please continue the good work.

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Posted By Sylvia on March 22nd, 2008 at 6:31 am
6

In simple satirical summary, it’s a matter of nepotism, cronyism, and “political incest.” Not only are they screwing each other they are trying to screw the people they have taken an oath to represent and serve.

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Posted By Dwight K Snider on March 22nd, 2008 at 8:47 am
7

I’m just excited that a woman of color is finally going to make a splash at this so-called “white party” of the 54th District candidates. It’s about high time we elect a minority to go represent and serve us on a state-level and get stuff done. And the fact that Reyes Uranga gets things done without having to sell her soul or kiss some ass or screw someone else’s staffer… that’s got to say something about her.

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Posted By Sven Wilson on March 22nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
8

There are, in the body politic, economic and social, many and grave evils, and there is urgent necessity for the sternest war upon them. There should be relentless exposure of and attack upon every evil man whether politician or business man, every evil practice, whether in politics, in business, or in social life. I hail as a benefactor every writer or speaker, every man who, on the platform, or in book, magazine, or newspaper, with merciless severity makes such attack, provided always that he in his turn remembers that the attack is of use only if it is absolutely truthful.

(Source: Theodore Roosevelt’s 1906 Muckraker Speech)

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muckraker”

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Posted By Dwight K Snider on March 22nd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
9

You forgot about Jimmy Taylor, the candidates ex husband’s, uncle’s gardner’s cousin who once cut the lawn of the candidates son. You are not doing your homework.

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Posted By Thomas on March 22nd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
10

What is really crazy is that the boyfriend of the ex wife and the boyfriend of the candidate who wronged the ex wife and the wife of the wronged ex husband and the boyfirend of the daughter in law and the son all support each other I guess none get alimony unless they vote for B.L.
I guess if you screw them or marry them they cant testify against you.

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Posted By bobs a dem on March 23rd, 2008 at 11:54 am
11

As a student activist at CSULB, I find it quite disheartening to see the way that politics are run. I have a hard time believing that some white woman whose last name is that of her ex-husband’s who has done all the work, or lack there of depending on what you think, may actually be my representative. The choice between an articulate and heartfelt latina woman or a devisive white woman, I go with a latina woman who could get some stuff done up north!

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Posted By socalqueer on March 23rd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
12

Socalqueer: You assume that Uranga does not have a similar tree herself, that instead of stretching through LB political circles stretches into the statewide union circles where there is more money and influence. Between her and her husband they have a not dissimilar pattern of linkage through those who influence the Democratic Party in California. Practically any candidate for office cannot make it to Sacto or WDC unless they such a circle of influence. So you can use the labels of “devisive white woman” and “articulate and heartfelt latina woman” but instead of taking one diagram on a website to make your judgements you should study what each of these women has done for the community or what you feel they may be able to accomplish in Sacto. And by the way SCQ, are you aware there are other candidates? It seems you feel your only choices are these two women. Wow, the Democratic Party sure seems to have total control of our city’s politics and future. If this is the case, expect more of the same in Sacto no matter which you vote for because once elected it just becomes about getting re-elected. Which is why the state is broke and will continue to slide further down the list of attractive places for business to locate.

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Posted By LBRez on March 23rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
13

Quite to the contrary LBRez. I do happen to be familiar with all 5 candidates that are in the race. And, being that i most readily identify with the positions of the democratic party, I make a conscious decision to focus my attention on the the two democratic candidates that will best represent me in Sacramento. How dare you assume me to be so naive that i would not be aware of such information, and even more naive to not know that yes, Mrs. Uranga also has friends in higher places. However, Tonia Reyes Uranga has always been a person that fought for the issues of the people that she represents and has not been afraid to speak out on issues like keeping funding for the senior meal program, keeping the press telegram in Long Beach as well as fighting for transgender students in the school district to name a few.. Now can it be said that Bonnie Lowenthal has done some great things for Long Beach, of course. But for someone who had to move into the district just to run for this race assuming that she would probably be elected based on the name recognition she receives from the clout associate with her ex-husbands last name is just shameful and a diluted version of the “political system” we call America.

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Posted By socalqueer on March 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
14

Addendum to Post #6. Add carpetbagging to the list. Thanks, socalqueer, for the reminder.

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Posted By Dwight K Snider on March 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
15

Wow, amazing that Ms. Lowenthal has to move a few blocks into the assembly district in order to run in this race. Bonnie, why didn’t you just stay in your own home and run in the other district so that we could possibly have two Long Beach representatives in Sacramento? Tonia, you can out walk, out work her any day, and guest what, you don’t have to move your family into another home.

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Posted By Marie Goode on March 25th, 2008 at 6:56 am
16

Hey LBCynic! Specifically, which endorsement process in a local election two years ago are you talking about? I have my ideas, but I want to make sure I understand your reference. Thanks!

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Posted By Dave Wielenga on March 25th, 2008 at 8:53 am
17

you mean the family bonnie left to have an affair with former Long Beach councilman Evan Anderson Braude?

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Posted By Gabe on March 26th, 2008 at 1:12 am
18

Touche, Gabe, touche.
The more I read and study about this whole Lowenthology article, the more and more I believe in the corruption of the political system in Long Beach and within the Lowenthal family.
I’ve seen some pretty sad and disrespectful displays and practices at public meetings from Bonnie Lowenthal (and her entire camp for that matter), and frankly, I wouldn’t want to force anyone in Sacramento (and the State of California) to endure more bad politicans.

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Posted By Sven Wilson on March 26th, 2008 at 1:21 am
19

I couldn’t have put it better Sven. To hear about the divisive and corrupt ways of this “power family” is one thing but, to meet them and see them in action is a whole other ball game. It just goes to show that nothing in politics can be taken at face value.

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Posted By socalqueer on March 26th, 2008 at 1:25 am
20

OK, let me clarify that while I abhore the backroom deals to gain positions of power and influence, on POLICY issues I am very closely aligned with Bonnie, Suja, Alan and Daniel. In fact, on policy, Tonia and Bonnie agree on more much than they disagree. With all things (policy) being equal, than the practical and personal become more relevant. In practice, I have found Tonia to be more progressive, independent and on a person level more inclusive to participation from others outside of any family, backroom-players or political cliques. The HOW one practices politics is important and that is what distinquished Bonnie from Tonia and other good local democrats from the Lowenthals. The local Dem party, has got to expand their tent beyond the current Lowenthal-center or risk alienating more and more of their core supporters. Open it up for greater participation and not seek-out or require the Lowenthal seal of approval and you will grow the party and it’s influence among grassroots supporters and emerging leaders.

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Posted By LBCynic on March 26th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
21

Ok, at first I thought this article was a joke so I treated as such. In my opinion, you should not treat such “news” with a dignified response but now this string has just gotten completely out of control. Dave you should be ashamed of yourself for allowing such garbage.

The idea that this article is not meant to infer scandal is laughable. Then why the blacked out faces, the chart? I understand the need for a catchy graphic but please don’t insult my intelligence. It is your site and there is no rule that you be objective but a little intellectual honesty would be nice.

Socalqueer, I was hoping that you could help me out. Do you consider yourself more of a racist or a sexist? I am leaning more towards the latter. You claim to know all of the candidates in the race yet you completely discount Bonnie Lowenthal’s many years of elected experience and say she is just living off her ex-husbands last name. As far as I see it, that is a blatantly sexist remark. I won’t even touch the “white woman” comment.

Where is the proof in Sven’s corruption claims? As for Gabe’s post, just a pathetic attempt to embarrass. Talk about sad and disrespectful. Since you have no shame Gabe, I will feel embarrassed for you.

I don’t know much about Tonia Reyes-Uranga, but the fact that her most vocal supporters are a bunch of sniveling crybabies with nothing better to do in the middle of the night than write slanderous blog posts doesn’t fill me with much hope for her candidacy. Maybe if they got a little more sleep they could do something useful for the campaign, like stuffing envelopes.

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Posted By Bathhouse Jake on March 27th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
22

The blacked-out faces were because we couldn’t get photos of the people. Further, having spoken with Bonnie several times since the story was printed — including over lunch at Bake and Broil — I can assure you that she was less freaked out than you, Bathhouse Jake. Interesting alias, by the way. And speaking of that, what IS it with so many of you people hiding behind fake names to do your sniping?

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Posted By Dave Wielenga on April 3rd, 2008 at 12:08 am
23

Since the graphic looks like one those posters behind Joe Valachi, only missing labels like Capo, Consigliere and Caporegime, maybe those hiding behind fake names are afraid of sleeping with the fishes if they anger Don Alan and the Family.

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Posted By KHigginbotham on April 3rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
24

Dave-
Should people like Gabe and Andy post their full names?
And if they did how would we know if those were even their real names?
In fact, how do we know that Mr. Jake isn’t named after his mother’s favorite brother, Bathhouse, and that he’s the only one here being truthful???
For that matter, what are you trying to hide…”David?”

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Posted By daniel de boom on April 3rd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
25

If my last name was as cool as “De Boom”, I’d post it too.

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Posted By Andy on April 3rd, 2008 at 8:44 pm

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