Countywide : Abortion-Rights Group Endorses 5

The California Abortion Rights Action League has endorsed candidates in several local political races, and only one of the candidates is Republican.

The league announced a dual endorsement of Republican Nao Takasugi and Democrat Roz McGrath in the race to represent the 37th Assembly District.

The endorsements will appear in a voters’ guide produced by the abortion-rights group to be distributed to 100,000 members and supporters.

“For us to have a dual endorsement is really a victory,” said Kate Harris, spokeswoman for the statewide organization. “That means that no matter who wins, a pro-choice candidate will be elected into office.”

Takasugi, the mayor of Oxnard, said he was pleased to have earned the endorsement.

“I believe that decisions like these are personal and private,” he said. “Our Constitution protects our people’s freedom and individual rights, and I will, too.” But McGrath has repeatedly questioned Takasugi’s stated support of a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion.

“It’s nearly impossible to find choice in any of his speeches or campaign literature,” she told a women’s rally on Tuesday. “Mayor Takasugi, if you don’t stand for your beliefs, people won’t believe what you say you stand for.”

The 37th Assembly District encompasses Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme and most of Thousand Oaks. The league has also endorsed Hank Starr, the Democratic candidate for the 19th State Senate District, which stretches from Oxnard to the San Fernando Valley. Starr is running against Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley).

In a statement concerning the endorsement, Starr said: “My opponent has dedicated her entire political career to trying to destroy a woman’s right to choose. . . . I believe this endorsement reflects my deeply held support of women’s rights.” John J. Theiss, a spokesman for Wright’s campaign, said the assemblywoman is opposed to federal and state funding for abortion and is personally opposed to abortion.

But Theiss denied that Wright has focused her political career on this issue. “What Mr. Starr doesn’t understand is that the California Legislature has never taken up the choice issue, at least in the 12 years in which Cathie has served in the Assembly,” Theiss said.

In other local races, the group endorsed Anita Perez Ferguson, the Democratic candidate for the 23rd Congressional District, which includes all of Ventura County except Thousand Oaks; and Jack O’Connell, the Democratic incumbent in the 35th Assembly District, which includes Ojai, Santa Paula and Ventura.