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Sandra Fluke running for California state Senate

The women's rights activist has decided against running for retiring Rep. Henry Waxman's 33rd district seat.

By Gabrielle Levy
Sandra Fluke. (UPI/Kevin Dietsch)
Sandra Fluke. (UPI/Kevin Dietsch) | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- All speculation aside, Sandra Fluke isn't going to run for retiring Rep. Henry Waxman's congressional seat.

Instead, the attorney and women's rights activist, who filed campaign paperwork last week in what appeared to be a first step in running for the 40-year veteran Democrat's seat, said she's instead running for state Senate.

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Fluke confirmed Tuesday night she hopes to fill the seat held by State Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, who has already garnered significant support in the early stages of the race for Waxman's seat, the 33rd congressional district.

“I am extremely moved by the outpouring of local and national support I have received since I announced that I was considering running for office,” Fluke said. “My entire career has been devoted to the public interest, whether representing victims of human trafficking or advocating for working families."

"I am committed to continuing that fight in Sacramento, working to protect our environment, ensure our access to health care, and create the jobs that are desperately needed," she continued. "While I strongly considered offering my candidacy for Congress, I feel there is a better way for me to advance the causes that are important to our community.”

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Fluke moved to Los Angeles after graduating from Georgetown Law school -- where she became known as the women's health advocate called a "slut" by conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh -- and has worked as an attorney for issues related to the foster-care system and living wage.

"I believe that the families and communities of this district -- from West Hollywood to West L.A. and from Santa Monica to Torrance and beyond -- deserve to have a fresh perspective from a new generation of progressive leadership in Sacramento, and I am eager to get to work fighting for the causes that matter most to our future as a community, state and nation," she said.

Without Fluke in the race, Lieu's primary challenger in the heavily left-leaning district is fellow Democrat Wendy Greuel, a former candidate for Los Angeles mayor.

[Los Angeles Times] [KPCC]

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