Muratsuchi under fire for Horvath endorsement

Christian Horvath. File photos

State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi has faced an onslaught of criticism, even among staunch Democrats, for endorsing incumbent District 3 Councilman Christian Horvath in his upcoming race against Candace Nafissi. Some have indicated that they’re willing to vote for Muratsuchi’s opponent, Republican challenger Frank Scotto, on Nov. 6 in light of the Horvath endorsement.

The fervor, which rumbled quietly after Nafissi sought Muratsuchi’s endorsement on Oct. 20, gained visibility after Redondo Mayor Bill Brand issued endorsements for the upcoming Nov. 6 election, including support for Muratsuchi.

“It’s costing Al a lot of votes. Especially from Democrats and liberals,” resident Robin Eisenberg commented. “Maybe Al should come forward and just endorse the Waterfront Project and the group that is suing Bill and others personally. #NEVERMURATSUCHI!”

Candace Nafissi. File photos

The sentiment spread to other community Facebook pages, including those typically critical of Horvath.

“People are free to feel how they want to feel,” Nafissi said. “They’re expressing their support for me and taking it out on Al.”

Eugene Solomon, a frequent critic of Horvath, said he was told by Muratsuchi staff that the endorsement was for Horvath’s work on regional issues.

“But while he has done a lot on a regional level, a lot of things in the community found his constituents unhappy and upset with him — specifically, Measure C,” Solomon said, referring to a resident-led zoning initiative intended to stymie CenterCal Properties’ waterfront redevelopment project. Horvath opposed the measure, which was overwhelmingly passed by voters. Nafissi was a founder of Rescue Our Waterfront, which sponsored the measure, but stepped away from leading the organization.

“People feel that Al is making a bad judgment call…it’s an unforced error on Al’s part and a bad read on what’s happening in Redondo. The community sees Christian working against them,” Solomon said, wishing Muratsuchi would offer an explanation of his endorsement.

“Residents are laser-focused on the people who aren’t representing what the community wants,” Nafissi said. “They’re going to speak out, going to say something, and we shouldn’t be shocked that they’re reacting.”

“It’s not my place to comment on [Muratsuchi’s endorsement],” Horvath said. “If people are bullying or threatening Al, then that’s indicative of a bigger issue with these same individuals.” Horvath feels that his job is to represent the myriad opinions of the 13,000 residents he represents.

“The council tends to come to consensus on over 95 percent of things that come before us. This comes down to what, we disagree on the Waterfront? If that’s the case, that’s also a sad reflection,” Horvath said.

Dale Petrulis isn’t a Horvath constituent but supported the councilman at a Muratsuchi fundraiser she hosted, urging him to hold firm on his endorsement.

“If you give in to bullies, they continue to bully, and I expect you to not give in,” Petrulis said to Muratsuchi. “I trust you to have the integrity to stand against bullying and against issues that are not comfortable.”

Muratsuchi, Petrulis said, didn’t offer a response, and she didn’t ask for one. But she believes that bullying — as she calls the pushback against Muratsuchi — causes candidates to lose themselves and their principles.

Mayor Brand said he won’t comment on Muratsuchi’s endorsements, but that he will once again support Nafissi leading to the election. He will also maintain his endorsement of Muratsuchi, citing Muratsuchi’s support of developing a park at the AES power plant.

It’s been speculated that Muratsuchi is considering a dual endorsement of both Nafissi and Horvath, but Muratsuchi’s camp issued a short statement when reached for comment:

“I am focused on my reelection on November 6 and I will not make any endorsement decisions until after my reelection.”

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