Betsy Butler

"Torieistas" need to recognize that this seat does not belong to Sheila Kuehl, the L.A. political machine or any single group to give to Torie Osborn. The seat belongs to the diverse population that makes up the 50th Assembly district.

When the history of public transportation in LA is written, an event held on Sunday will be remembered as critical. That is the day that a diverse group of Angelenos gathered at Tom Safran's Brentwood home.

Despite all the efforts to smear her, Betsy Butler won. And not only won, but won pretty handily. Won by 50% over her next closest opponent.

Evidence pointed that those doing the smearing likely included the big oil, drug and insurance companies themselves. That's the short version. But new information actually has made things even more pernicious.

While it is premature to declare any winners in the June 8th California primary races, one loser is already evident -- the citizens of California.

Admire Betsy Butler's politics or not, that's a personal matter. But the attacks on her are spectacularly underhanded, venal and have no place in our life.