Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has appointed Betsy Butler to the state's Film Commission.
Despite having never run for office before, Butler is the leading contender to replace Ted Lieu in the Assembly largely by virtue of her Sacramento connections. Butler is the top fundraiser for the Consumer Attorneys of California, a lobbying group for trial lawyers. Before that she worked for the League of Conservation Voters and the Environmental Defense Fund.
As far as I'm aware, Butler has never worked in government before*, so this film commission appointment could be intended to fill in that gap on her resume. Steinberg has endorsed Butler in next year's Democratic primary.
* UPDATE: Wrong. Butler worked for four years in the Commerce Department during the Clinton Administration.
Despite having never run for office before, Butler is the leading contender to replace Ted Lieu in the Assembly largely by virtue of her Sacramento connections. Butler is the top fundraiser for the Consumer Attorneys of California, a lobbying group for trial lawyers. Before that she worked for the League of Conservation Voters and the Environmental Defense Fund.
As far as I'm aware, Butler has never worked in government before*, so this film commission appointment could be intended to fill in that gap on her resume. Steinberg has endorsed Butler in next year's Democratic primary.
* UPDATE: Wrong. Butler worked for four years in the Commerce Department during the Clinton Administration.
Great! So the Democrats are going to address the lobbyist issues in Sacramento by...getting one of them elected?!
We're going to ignore the experience of local city council members who have networked throughout the South Bay, learned about the industries that make it work,and have a genuine interest in the well being of our district.
Chalk another carpetbagger up for the Democrats!
The leading candidate? At last count she was one of eight - and not even the top fund raiser. As to government experience within the group,two are city council representatives, one was a member of Maxine Waters' staff, another was a member of Henry Waxman's staff and yet another is a prosecutor for the City of LA. All-in-all, a well qualified field!