State Board of Equalization, District 4: Judy Chu. The three-term assemblywoman and former mayor of Monterey Park is innovative and independent and deserves to represent Los Angeles County on the panel that oversees taxes and hears appeals from rulings by the Franchise Tax Board.
State Assembly District 41: Jonathan Levey. Levey's plans for improving schools, reducing pollution and improving transportation are pragmatic enough to seem achievable. He's the best candidate running in the Democratic primary in the district stretching from Santa Monica to Oxnard.
District 42: Mike Feuer. The Assembly needs his ability, pragmatism, candor and political skills in the Democratic primary for this district, which includes Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.
District 43: Paul Krekorian. President of the Burbank school board, Krekorian is the better prepared of two candidates in the Democratic primary in this district, which includes Burbank and Glendale and stretches to North Hollywood and Los Feliz.
District 44: Adam Murray. Murray is an up-and-comer with a comprehensive knowledge of the challenges facing the state and his district, which includes La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena and Arcadia.
District 45: Elena Popp. She's the most independent of the five Democrats vying for the seat representing the district ranging from Hollywood and Echo Park to Mount Washington and El Sereno.
District 48: Anthony Willoughby. The Guatemalan-born Willoughby, a trial attorney, provides the proper balance of insider savvy and newcomer perspective in this rapidly changing district running from south of the Century Freeway up the west side of the Harbor Freeway, then over to Hollywood.
District 49: Mike Eng. An immigration lawyer who serves on the Monterey Park City Council, Eng has a demonstrated passion for the needs of society's have-nots and a track record of working closely with business. He's the best candidate for the district that includes Alhambra, Monterey Park and El Monte.
District 51: Steve Bradford. Bradford was an effective member of the Gardena City Council and is the best candidate to represent Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, Westchester and Willowbrook in the Assembly.
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BALLOT PROPOSITIONS
Proposition 81: Yes. This bond measure would provide $600 million for new library buildings around the state to continue a bond building project with a good track record.
