News >> Press Releases

March 20, 2012

VENTURA, CA – Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long announced today that she has endorsed Democratic Assemblywoman and Assembly Education Chair, Julia Brownley in her bid to represent California’s 26th Congressional District in Congress.

“I am very proud to endorse Julia Brownley in her bid for Congress. I know Julia to be a principled leader who cares deeply about her constituents and I know she shares my goals of making sure our local economy gets back on track, improving our local schools, and protecting our precious coast lines and open spaces” said Long. “I believe Julia is the candidate who best reflects the values of the diverse residents of Ventura County and I know she’ll be a powerful voice for our community in Congress.”


Julia Brownley and Kathy Long both represent portions of the new Congressional district, including parts of Oxnard and Port Hueneme, in their respective Assembly and Supervisorial districts and have worked together on many issues affecting the residents of Ventura County.

Brownley is also supported by Democratic leaders including Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, Assemblymember Das Williams, former Ventura Mayor Bill Fulton, Ventura Councilmembers Brian Brennan and Cheryl Heitmann, President Ventura County School Boards Association Kathi Smith and many others.

Brownley was named "2011 Legislator of the Year" by the Congress of California Seniors, "2010 Legislator of the Year" by the California School Boards Association, "2010 Environmental Champions Award" by the Environmental Working Group, "2009 California Legislator of the Year" by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and "2009 Legislator of the Year" by the California Federation of Teachers.

# #

Brownley was elected to the Assembly in 2006, after being elected three times to serve as a Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board member. After graduating with a B.A. from George Washington University’s Mount Vernon College, and earning an M.B.A. from American University, Brownley worked in marketing in private industry. Brownley has two grown children, Hannah and Fred.

With the retirement of Republican Congressman Elton Gallegly, California’s newly drawn 26th Congressional district officially becomes an open seat that favors Democrats. The 26th Congressional District has earned a spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) highly competitive Red-to-Blue program. The district has a 6% Democratic registration advantage and is one that President Obama won by 16% in 2008. The Cook Political Report rates the district as a “Democratic Toss Up” and the Rothenberg Report rates it as “Democrat Favored.” making it one of the top pick up opportunities for Democrats in 2012.