A state Senate race in South L.A. resurfaces allegations of racism and misconduct

A south Los Angeles legislative race that pits two Democrats against each other on the November ballot is resurfacing allegations of misconduct levied against the candidates in their prior public offices.

Michelle Chambers, a former Compton City Council member, and Laura Richardson, a former member of Congress, are running to succeed state Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) in Senate District 35, which encompasses the cities of Carson, Compton and stretches down to the harbor.

For months, their campaigns have swapped jabs at each other, comparing fundraising numbers, accusing one another of lies and resurfacing past scandals.

Now Chambers is confronting accusations that she called a colleague’s young Latino son a racial slur in a closed-session meeting three years ago, and that she bullied Compton city employees while she served on the council. Chambers denies the allegations.




https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-09/california-legislature-chambers-richardson-misconduct-senate-district-35