Chick to back Obama
City Controller Laura Chick is joining the presidential politics game, announcing Tuesday that she is backing Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.
With her endorsement, Chick is setting herself apart from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and several City Council members who have come out for N.Y. Sen. Hillary Clinton as California voters prepare to go to the polls on Feb. 5 for the primary election.
In a release announcing the endorsement, Chick said she was backing Obama because of his "strong commitment to changing the way business is done in Washington (and) believes that Obama is the only candidate who can lead this country in a new direction.
“Barack Obama is the candidate who has the vision, intellect, experience and courage needed to lead our country. That is why I am enthusiastically endorsing Senator Obama for the Presidency,” Chick said. “He will fight to protect taxpayer dollars, open our government to greater scrutiny, and push for more transparency. No more politics as usual,” she added.
Obama said the Chick endorsement was important because of her being “committe to changing our politics and transforming our country,” Obama stated. “Never fearful to challenge the status quo, Controller Chick has taken the lead on increasing transparency and accountability, bringing fairness and opportunity to the residents of Los Angeles.”