A Look Back at Bob Blumenfield's 2008 & 2012 Campaign
for Assembly member for San Fernando

Kick Off Event 6 7 09

You are cordially invited to the re-election kick-off Brunch in support of newly elected Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield
Sunday, June 7, 2009
11:00am - 1:00pm
Woodland Hillsv For more information, event address, or to RSVP: (310) 264-9200 or Jillian@CharlotteDobbs.com.

Bob's State Party Convention Endorsements

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield endorses…

Party Officers:

Senator John Burton
for Party Chair
Senator Burton has an extensive political career fighting for progressive issues and speaking for those who traditionally don’t have a voice in government.  He will be an aggressive leader as we move forward with changing the 2/3rds rule in the legislature, as well as, protecting Democrats in the redistricting process.

Eric Bauman
for Party Male Vice Chair
Eric has proven himself as a grassroots leader working on behalf of social justice issues and expanding the Democratic Party.  His red-zone plan in L.A. County to elect Democrats in traditional Republican areas is a model for the rest of the state.

Alex Gallardo Rooker
for Party Female Vice Chair
Alex is a true organizer in every sense of the word.  She began in the labor movement and used her skills to promote the Democratic Party.  As we look to increase Democratic numbers in the legislature, Alex is the type of leader we need.

Eric Bradley
for Party Controller
Eric’s stewardship and dedication to protect the Party’s finances has been outstanding and we need him to continue his vigilance.  In addition, his fundraising skills will help us elect Democrats for years to come.

Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer
for Party Secretary
Reggie has done an excellent job of keeping Party members informed and deserves re-election. 

Caucus Positions:

Marilyn Grunwald
for Disability Caucus Chair
Marilyn has been tireless in her advocacy for people with disabilities and for their inclusion within the Democratic Party.  Her activism, professionalism, and dedication will serve the caucus well.

Kess Kessler
for Senior Caucus Vice Chair
As an experienced grassroots activist and party leader, Kess has visionary ideas, practical knowledge, and determination to get the job done.  His leadership and vision are needed today and in the future. 

May 19th 2009 Special Election Ballot Propositions Recommendations and Analysis

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield

Recommendation:  Support All (Props 1A – 1F) 

Summary:  The State is in dire financial shape.  If these ballot measures do not pass, the Legislature will have to find at least $5.5 billion in additional cuts, or raise that amount in additional revenue. Given the current political dynamic in Sacramento (2/3 budget requirement and partisian budget history) that will likely mean cutting important services like education, and programs that protect our most vulnerable such as Calworks. These programs have already been cut to the bone and it is estimated that the poor State of our economy (lower revenue expectations) means that such a cut would be on top of $8 Billion or more that will be needed just to keep spending in line with current revenue predictions.

The bottom line is that we cannot afford to let these propositions fail. 

Proposition 1A:state spending limit

Implements a spending cap based on the rate of growth from the last 10 years.  It would extend the length of the taxes ($16 billion) approved by the Legislature.  Would increase the amount of money set aside in the state’s “rainy-day fund” in budget boom years and restrict what this money could be used for.

Summary Prepared by the Attorney General:

Increases size of state "rainy-day" fund from 5% to 12.5% of the General Fund.
A portion of the annual deposits into that fund would be dedicated to savings for future economic downturns, and the remainder would be available to fund education, infrastructure, and debt repayment, or for use in a declared emergency.
Requires additional revenue above historic trends to be deposited into state "rainy-day" fund, limiting spending.

Fiscal Impact from the Legislative Analyst:

Higher state tax revenues of roughly $16 billion from 2010-11 through 2012-13 to help balance the state budget.

In many years, increased amounts of money in state "rainy-day" reserve fund.

Potentially less ups and downs in state spending over time.

Possible greater state spending on repaying budgetary borrowing and debt, infrastructure projects, and temporary tax relief. In some cases, this would mean less money available for ongoing spending.

Supporters:

The coalition formed to support all of the ballot measures is California Budget Reform Now.  Organizations and elected officials in support of Prop. 1A include: CA State Sheriffs’ Assn., CA Fire Chiefs Assn., CA Police Chiefs Assn., CA State University Board of Trustees, University of CA Board of Regents,  CA NAACP, State Building and Construction Trades Council, CA Chamber of Commerce, CA Taxpayers Association, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass.

3.3.09 Field Poll: 3.25.09 PPIC Poll:

Yes: 57% Yes: 37%

No: 21%No: 50%

Proposition 1B: education finance

Proposition 1B ensures that schools receive $9.3 billion over time, so that the billions in cuts which were made during this unprecedented fiscal crisis are not permanent. The payments to schools will come out of the newly created rainy day fund, but not until 2011-2012 when our fiscal outlook is expected to improve. Prop. 1B only takes effect if the voters also approve Prop. 1A.

Summary Prepared by the Attorney General:

Requires supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address recent budget cuts.

Annual payments begin in 2011-12.

Payments are funded from the state's Budget Stabilization Fund until the total amount has been paid.

Payments to local school districts will be allocated in proportion to average daily attendance and may be used for classroom instruction, textbooks and other local educational programs.

Fiscal Impact from the Legislative Analyst:

Fiscal impact would depend on how current constitutional provisions would otherwise be interpreted.

Potential state savings of up to several billion dollars in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Potential state costs of billions of dollars annually thereafter.

Supporters:

The coalition formed to support all of the ballot measures is California Budget Reform Now.  Organizations and elected officials in support of Prop. 1A include: CA State Sheriffs’ Assn., CA Fire Chiefs Assn., CA Police Chiefs Assn., CA Teachers Assn., CA State PTA, CA State University Board of Trustees, CA NAACP, CA State Council of Laborers, CA Chamber of Commerce, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass

3.3.09 Field Poll: 3.25.09 PPIC Poll:

Yes: 53% Yes: 44%

No: 30%No: 41%

Proposition 1C:CaliforniaState Lottery

Proposition 1C will bring in $5 billion immediately to the state, protecting us from further cuts and taxes. The State Lottery has not been changed since it was first put into place by voters in 1984, and as a result, is underperforming for the people of California.  This reform will modernize our lottery and bring in billions of dollars to address our current budget crisis. Proposition 1C ensures that schools continue to receive the same, or more, money each year.  Other states have enacted the same reforms with success. 

3.3.09 Field Poll: 3.25.09 PPIC Poll:

Yes: 47% Yes: 37%

No: 39%No: 50%

Proposition 1D: Children and Families Trust Fund

Proposition 1D will temporarily redirect a portion of existing funds from voter-approved tobacco tax (Proposition 10). These redirected funds will be used to pay for children’s health and social services and to prevent deep cuts to kids’ healthcare and other programs.  Only a portion of the tobacco tax funds will be redirected, so existing programs currently funded by this revenue are protected.  By temporarily redirecting these funds, Proposition 1D will also help immediately address the state’s unprecedented budget deficit and help us avoid further tax increases or draconian cuts to education, public safety, healthcare and other services.

3.3.09 Field Poll:  3.25.09 PPIC Poll:

Yes: 54% Yes: 48%

No: 24%No: 36%

Proposition 1E: Mental Health Services Act

Proposition 1E will temporarily redirect a portion of funds from the Mental Health Services Act to fund children’s health programs that are at risk of elimination due to the budget crisis, including healthcare screening, diagnosis and treatment.  By temporarily redirecting a portion of these funds, Proposition 1E will also help immediately address the state’s unprecedented budget deficit and help us avoid further tax increases or draconian cuts to education, public safety, healthcare and other services.

3.3.09 Field Poll: 3.25.09 PPIC Poll:

Yes: 57% Yes: 47%

No: 23%No: 37%

Proposition 1F: State officer salaries

Proposition 1F will prohibit legislators, the Governor and other state politicians from getting pay raises whenever our state is running a budget deficit.

3.3.09 Field Poll: 3.25.09 PPIC Poll:

Yes: 77% Yes: 81%

No: 13%No: 13%

For more information, click below links:

• California Secretary of State
• League of Women Voters
• California Budget Project
• Political Policy Institute of California
• Field Poll

Swearing-In Ceremony at the State Capitol

On Monday, December 1st, Bob will be sworn in as the new Assemblymember for District 40!
 
We invite you to join Bob, his family, friends, and supporters in Sacramento on Sunday, November 30th for an evening celebration reception followed on Monday, December 1st for the official swearing-in ceremony in the State Capitol.  For further detail please visit our events page located under the "About" tab.

We Did It - The Results Are In!

 Bob Blumenfield (D) - 58.8%  (59,422 votes)
Armineh Chelebian (R) - 26.5%  (26,743 votes)
Pamela J. Brown (I) - 14.7%  (14,925 votes)
 
Thank you for all of your hard work on Election Day and your support.  Because of you, the campaign was able to have this strong win.  Democratic registration in Assembly District 40 is 49.61% and yet Bob received support from nearly 10% more of the voters.  With such a significant win, Bob is off to a great start to form bi-partisan coalitions that will support reform measures in Sacramento and bring positive change to the district.

News from around the state

Around The State
 
In addition to campaigning for his own race, Bob joined Democrats around the state to support other Assembly candidates to bring the Democratic Team closer to a 2/3 majority. 
 
Thank you for joining Bob in making important financial and/or volunteer contributions to these campaigns -
With the help of volunteers from the Blumenfield Campaign and the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, over 50,000 phone calls were made to voters in targeted districts.
We appear to have gained two seats overall in the State Assembly - Joan Buchanan (AD 15) and Manuel Perez (AD 80). 
Although they came close, unfortunately, Alyson Huber (AD 10) and John Eisenhut (AD 26) did not win their seats.
We are still waiting for results in AD30.  Thank you to those Blumenfield Campaign volunteers who traveled to Bakersfield to deploy their San Fernando Valley field tactics in GOTV efforts for Candidate Fran Florez.

July 23, 2008

State Assembly hopeful is a political and personal bridge builder

If elected, one of his top priorities will be California's "quality of life," especially in upgrading the state's infrastructure. "Every one dollar invested in infrastructure adds seven times that amount to the general economy," he said

By Tom Tugend

Kafi, Nia and Robert J. Blumenfield.
Photo courtesy Robert J. Blumenfield

When Robert J. Blumenfield was 12, he covered the 1980 Democratic and Republican conventions as a reporter for a youth-oriented magazine, and he has been hooked on politics since.

In June, Blumenfield, 40, always addressed as Bob, won the Democratic primary to represent the 40th Assembly District in Sacramento, which in this heavily Democratic enclave in the San Fernando Valley is considered tantamount to election.

The Journal met with the candidate in a quiet coffee shop, close to the Van Nuys office of veteran Congressman Howard Berman, where Blumenfield's multiple duties as district director include serving as liaison to the Jewish community.

To Blumenfield's own surprise, he won the primary outright by 53 percent against three opponents in an Assembly district that includes Van Nuys, Northridge, Canoga Park and Woodland Hills.

The campaign to succeed the termed-out incumbent Lloyd Levine was acrimonious, fueled by chief opponent Stuart Waldman's charges that Blumenfield's father and Berman had funneled large contributions to the winning candidate through a nominally independent committee.

With national attention focused at the time on the Democratic presidential contest between Sen. Barack Obama, the first viable black presidential candidate, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, local political and social analysts took a special interest in Blumenfield's family life.

His wife, Kafi, is black, has a law degree from UCLA and is now president and CEO of Liberty Hill, a foundation working for social, racial and economic equality in Los Angeles County.

Bill Boyarsky, a Journal columnist, moderated a debate among the Assembly candidates at a synagogue and filed a report on truthdig.com.

"Bob Blumenfield is white, Jewish and chairs the Valley Advisory Board of the Anti-Defamation League," Boyarsky wrote. "His wife is African American. They live across the street from his parents. She was in the audience at the synagogue. Twenty-five years ago, this would have been impossible."

Then, pointing to Obama's campaign, Boyarsky observed, "It could be that race relations in America are taking a new turn, unfamiliar to those of us who see everything through the prism of mid- and late- 20th century conflict."

Kafi Blumenfield touched on the same topic, though suggesting that the "new turn" still had some way to go.

Speaking at Liberty Hill's Upton Sinclair dinner, she reminisced, "After I arrived in Los Angeles, I met a wonderful man. His name is Bob Blumenfield. We got married.... We have a beautiful baby, who I hope is home asleep right now.

"Last month, I was trying to find a part-time baby sitter, and I got a call from our search agency. 'Mrs. Blumenfield,' the agent said, 'would you hire a black?'

"Bob and I face a lot of challenges building bridges between his heritage and mine. Our daughter, Nia, will also face challenges of dealing with racism and anti-Semitism.... What community does my daughter belong to? She is black, and she's Jewish. At her day care center, the kids speak Spanish."

Nia is now two-and-a-half years old and, said her father, is being raised "100 percent Jewish and 100 percent African American."

To cement the Jewish part, Nia had a baby conversion ceremony, conducted by a Reform rabbi. A little later, the parents held a baby naming ceremony for "Ruth" at the 212-year- old Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, where some of the mother's relatives live.

Asked how the respective families felt about the marriage, Bob Blumenfield said, "The reaction was generally positive, but there were a few hiccups. Our parents were very supportive."

On the campaign trail, the interracial aspect tended to be a plus rather than a minus, and during debates the most hostile remark came from a questioner who wanted to know whether Blumenfield was loyal to the United States or to Israel.

Blumenfield was born in Brooklyn, but was raised in Scarsdale and celebrated his bar mitzvah at Beth Am Shalom, which he described as a Conservative/Reconstructionist temple. His father is a still-practicing psychiatrist and his mother a social worker.

"It was a mixed marriage," said Blumenfield. "My father was a Republican and my mother a Democrat." Eventually, mother and son brought the father over to their side.

After graduating from Duke University with a degree in public policy, Blumenfield headed for the nation's capital in 1989 and landed a job as an aide to Sen. Bill Bradley, a New Jersey Democrat.

He moved on to become legislative director of Berman's office in Washington and, following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, focused on getting emergency relief for the stricken area.

Blumenfield got an even closer look at Los Angeles politics as government affairs director for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy between 1996 and 2000.

"It's there I got to know a lot of political leaders, like Zev [Yaroslavsky] and Antonio [Villaraigosa], and also learned the difference between Sacramento and Washington politics," he said.

Blumenfield made another switch in 2000 ("All my life decisions seem to coincide with presidential election cycles," he observed) and became the district director for Berman's congressional office in Van Nuys.

Surrounded by politics and politicians, Blumenfield had considered for a long time running for public office. After establishing a family, persuading his parents to leave the East Coast, and joining Temple Kol Tikvah in Woodland Hills, he felt "rooted enough" to run for the Assembly seat.

If elected, one of his top priorities will be California's "quality of life," especially in upgrading the state's infrastructure. "Every one dollar invested in infrastructure adds seven times that amount to the general economy," he said.

Fundamentally, though, "everything begins and ends with the budget," Blumenfield said, and he advocates eliminating the requirement for a two-thirds majority to pass the state budget, moving from a one-year to a two-year budget cycle and possible modifications of Proposition 13.

His Republican opponent in November is Armineh Chelebian, whose parents came to the United States from Iran in 1978 and who is of Armenian descent.

She is an accountant and describes herself as a mother, grandmother, pro-Israel and an optimist used to overcoming obstacles. "I am not a partisan politician," she said. "I want to focus on the issues and serve the community."

The Journal asked Howard Welinsky, the dean of Southern California Democrats and chair of Democrats for Israel, for his evaluation of Blumenfield.

Welinsky, who campaigned actively for Blumenfield in the primary, described the candidate as "very smart, experienced and thoughtful ... in today's world of blogs, it's very hard to find someone like him."

Welinsky added, "I favor candidates who are versed in public policy but realize that it takes politics to achieve their goals. Bob is one of the few who combines these qualities."

VICTORY!!

The polls have closed, the voters have spoken and Bob has won the Democratic nomination for the 40th Assembly District.  Bob received more votes than all the other candidates combined - winning with 53% of the vote. 

Bob has a definitive mandate that he will take into the November General Election where he is expected to win in the heavily Democratic district.

In the campaign headquarters after the polls closed, Bob told the packed house of well wishers:  I have been humbled, honored and inspired by this campaign experience. I am so grateful to everyone who generously gave their time, energy, and labor to making today possible. Together we pulled off this amazing victory, and together we will improve Californian’s quality of life and advance the values and policies that this campaign was based upon.

PRESS RELEASE: BREAKING NEWS -- LA TIMES ENDORSEMENT!

We are proud to announce that the Los Angeles Times has followed many other Los Angeles leaders in endorsing Bob Blumenfield for State Assembly in the 40th District.

"Assembly District 40, Democratic primary: Bob Blumenfield. Voters seeking to replace Lloyd Levine in this San Fernando Valley district have a wealth of choices. Blumenfield is their best bet, combining the political get-it-done savvy he gained as a congressional aide in Washington with a deep knowledge of the district and a command of the budgetary and other structural problems facing the Capitol."

PRESS RELEASE: BOB ADDRESSES FALSE ACCUSATIONS

Sincerely,
Bob Blumenfield

UPDATE on Bob Blumenfield From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert J. Blumenfield (born September 13, 1967) is an American elected official in Southern California Blumenfield is the Los Angeles City Councilmember for the 3rd Council District which encompasses the southwestern San Fernando Valley neighborhoods of Los Angeles, including Canoga Park, Reseda, Tarzana, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills. Blumenfield took office on July 1, 2013. Blumenfield previously represented the 45th district in the California State Assembly, which also covers the southwestern San Fernando Valley.

Prior to his election to the City Council, Blumenfield served in the California State Assembly from 2008 – 2013. He was the first Democratic freshman Assemblymember to ever serve as the Chair of the Budget Committee. During his four-year tenure as Chair, he led the State from the brink of economic insolvency to structural balance and surplus. He delivered his last three budgets on-time and balanced – a feat that hadn’t been achieved during the prior 25 years. In addition, he radically changed the budget process to make it more transparent and accountable.

Capitol Weekly called Blumenfield “a shining light” with a “reassuring amount of perspective that is uncommon among so many politicians.” He was extraordinarily prolific and effective in the Assembly, having had over 50 bills signed into law. He is considered an environmental and consumer champion and has won numerous accolades and was named “Legislator of the Year” from a diversity of groups which included, TechAmerica, Easter Seals, New Horizons, ONEgeneration, the California Chiropractic Association, the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters and Californian’s Against Waste. Planned Parenthood gave him both their prestigious “Champion for Choice” Award and their “Advocate for Access” Award.