CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

The state Democratic Party unanimously endorsed Board of Equalization member Judy Chu on Saturday for the 32nd Congressional District seat in next month’s special election.

Twelve candidates, including eight Democrats, are on the May 19 ballot in the contest to succeed former Rep. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte), who resigned to become U.S. Labor Secretary.

Chu and state Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) are widely considered the front-runners in the strongly Democratic, San Gabriel Valley-based district.

“I feel so honored by the incredible support we had today,” Chu said in a statement released Saturday after the votes were tallied at Garvey Intermediate School, where the balloting took place.

“It shows that the Democrats of this district, which I have represented at the local and state level for the past 23 years and which I call my home, have come to trust me as one of their own and as a champion of the issues that are important to them.”

In a contest as heated as this one is, the party’s endorsement can be key in lining up additional supporters and can be touted in campaign mailers to voters.

Additionally, the state party chair has the option of putting money and other resources behind an endorsed candidate.

-- Jean Merl