Zuma Jay Backs Osborn for State Assembly

Sunday was a good day for Torie Osborn, candidate for the state Assembly's 50th District seat. First, she received . Later in the day, she got word that Malibu member Jefferson "Zuma Jay" Wagner was backing her campaign.

Osborn announced the endorsement from Wagner, who until Sunday was the only council member who had not backed a candidate, through a press release issued on Monday.

"I couldn't be more honored and happy that both the Dem Club and Councilman Wagner support me," said Osborn, according to the release. "The Malibu community has an independent spirit I value and cares deeply about the issues that matter to me—particularly environmental protection."

The release also provided a statement attributed to Wagner. 

"Torie electrified the crowd and demonstrated to me that we need her leadership, her vision and her abundance of bold and new ideas in Sacramento," said Wagner, according to the release. "She has a deep understanding of the many issues that Malibu residents are concerned about. As an independent, I look for candidates who can cross party boundaries, develop coalitions, and provide answers and common-sense solutions that will help to fix our state. That's why I am confident that she'll be an exceptional representative of our community."

There are three other candidates in the race—Democrats Betsy Butler and Richard Bloom and Republican Brad Torgan. Mayor Laura Zahn Rosenthal, Mayor Pro Tem Lou La Monte and Council member John Sibert have endorsed Butler and Bloom. Council member Pamela Conley Ulich has backed Butler, although she said after the forum on Sunday that she might also support Osborn

The three Democratic candidates will meet again at .