State Assembly race: Crowded field for Democrats in the 53rd District

by Andrea RuseThe race for the 53rd District State Assembly seat is arguably the most competitive in the state, packed with eight candidates in the Democratic primary, more than $2.2 million poured into campaigning and a roughly half million dollar corporate-backed campaign against front-runner Betsy Butler.Since 1992, the Assembly seat for the 53rd District -- which includes Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo beaches, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey, El Segundo, Torrance, Lomita and the Venic