Hermosa Beach City Councilwoman Nanette Barragan is considering a run for United States Congress.
“I am taking steps to give very serious consideration to a run for Congress,” she said in an e-mail Tuesday. “I think California needs more people who will stand up for our environment and for a strong economy with jobs that pay a living wage.”
Barragan, 38, is a commercial litigation attorney at AlvaradoSmith in downtown Los Angeles. She joined the Hermosa City Council in 2013 and made her name as an opponent to Measure O.
She’s eyeing Rep. Janice Hahn’s seat in the 44th District, which serves San Pedro, Carson, Compton and other areas south of downtown Los Angeles, a source said. Barragan grew up in the Harbor Gateway neighborhood within the heavily-Democratic district. Hahn announced in February she will run for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors when Don Knabe terms out in 2016.
State Sen. Isadore Hall III of Compton has already expressed his interest in the 44th district seat and won Hahn’s endorsement — creating an uphill battle for Barragan.
Barragan recently launched a fundraising website on the ActBlue platform to gauge how much support she can gather to wage that battle. The site allows for donations from $10 to $5,400, with an option to write in another amount, or donate monthly on a recurring basis.
Barragan has told supporters that if she decides to fully commit to the 44th District race, she is prepared to move into that district.
If she were to move out of Hermosa Beach, she would have to vacate her seat on the city council, said city attorney Michael Jenkins. At that time, the council can choose to appoint a replacement or call a special election. Barragan’s term on the council is scheduled to end November 2017.
