Obama Endorses State Candidates, Including Muratsuchi

President Obama has taken the unusual step of endorsing candidates for the California State Legislature in Tuesday’s election.

All four candidates are seeking to replace Republican legislators. Obama’s endorsement is part of a strategy to help Democrats achieve a super majority (two-thirds) in both houses of the Legislature.

The Democratic candidates are:

• 66th Assembly District — Former Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, who is challenging Assemblymember David Hadley (R-Manhattan Beach) in a rematch of the 2014 election. Muratsuchi represented the district from 2012 to 2014.

• 40th Assembly District — Abigail Medina, who is challenging Assemblymember Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga).

• 16th Assembly District — Cheryl Cook Kallio, who is challenging Assemblymember Catherine Baker (R-San Ramon).

• 29th Senate District — Josh Newman, who competing with Assemblymember Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar) for the seat currently held by Republican Bob Huff, who is termed out. Chang, who represents the 55th Assembly District, decided not to seek re-election.

“We are thrilled that President Obama is endorsing our candidates in some of the most competitive races across the country,” said Jessica Post, executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. “His endorsement highlights how crucial state legislative elections are to building on the progress the president has achieved and to continuing to move our nation forward.”

According to The Los Angeles Times, the three Assembly races combined have attracted more than $8.6 million in spending by state and county parties on both sides.

Politico reports that Obama is endorsing roughly 150 state senate and assembly candidates across 20 states.

Assembly candidates Cheryl Cook-Kallio, Abigail Medina and Al Muratsuchi