Westwood-Century City To Vote For New Assembly Member

LOS ANGELES, CA — Four candidates will compete Tuesday for the right to fill the 54th District Assembly seat left open when Sebastian Ridley-Thomas resigned due to health reasons.

Ridley-Thomas, a son of county Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, announced his resignation in December, saying he had just undergone his fifth surgery of the year and was facing "persistent health issues."

Leading the field of potential replacements is Democrat Sydney Kamlager, a member of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees. She is also a district director for Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, and a member of the county Commission on Children and Families.

Two other Democrats are also in the running: Grayson A. Pangilinan, a "green energy entrepreneur" and former staff member for Assemblyman Ken Cooley, D-Rancho Cordova, and Rep. Ami Bera, D-Sacramento; and Tepring Michelle Piquado, a neuroscientist and professor who said she has worked on efforts to help first responders and veterans recover from traumatic brain injuries and mental health conditions.

The only Republican in the race is Glen Ratcliff, a small business owner who touts himself as a "native son" of the Westside.

If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to a June 5 general election.

The 54th District includes areas such as Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Ladera Heights, Mar Vista and Windsor Hills.

City News Service; Shutterstock