Bill Clinton to endorse Democrats at UCI rally

Former President Clinton continues to be a hot commodity in contested congressional races.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Clinton will participate in a rally at UC Irvine to endorse several Democrats in Southern California races targeted by both major parties as they battle for control of Congress in the Nov. 6 election.

Slated to receive Clinton’s backing are Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, who is battling Republican state Sen. Tony Strickland for an open Ventura County seat; state Sen. Alan Lowenthal, who is running against Republican city councilman Gary DeLong for an open Long Beach-based seat; San Diego port official Scott Peters, who is challenging Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Carlsbad); emergency room physician Raul Ruiz, who is trying to oust Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Springs), and community college trustee Mark Takano, who is running against Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione for an open seat in the Inland Empire.

Earlier this month, at UC Davis, the former president endorsed four Northern California Democrats in tough House races. He also came out for Proposition 30, the state measure backed by Gov. Jerry Brown on the Nov. 6 ballot that would raise taxes to fend off further cuts in schools and colleges.

And early in the super-heated contest between Democratic congressmen in the San Fernando Valley, Clinton endorsed Rep. Brad Sherman of Sherman Oaks over Rep. Howard Berman of Valley Village.

This story was reported by Times Staff Writer Jean Merl.