In addition to endorsing Richard McKinnon and Ted Winterer for the City Council, the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City has spurned Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom and endorsed Betsy Butler for State Assembly.

It issued the following statement explaining its endorsement.

“Look at all the traffic clogging development that’s come to Santa Monica in the last 12 years since Richard Bloom has been on our City Council. Richard has voted for EVERY commercial development that’s come before the council and has been rewarded by sizable developer contributions over the years. Now Richard wants Santa Monica to become an even greater regional office destination, which is what brings overwhelming and unmitigatable traffic into our city.

“Betsy Butler supports our goals. She supports ‘the incredible work and the commitment that [SMCLC] has demonstrated for a more livable community . . . I am with you 100%.’

“Betsy Butler on development : Like many people here I am disappointed in how some local and state officials allow themselves to be bullied or bought by development interests who cynically use the recession as justification for damaging our communities and the quality of our lives. Every candidate promises to ‘stand up to the special interests.’ I am the only candidate who has done so consistently. (5/26/12 Santa Monica Mirror)

“This November, Santa Monica residents will have a clear choice who they want to represent us in Sacramento – someone who supports residents trying to keep Santa Monica sustainable and livable, or someone who supports developer interests every single time. And keep in mind that state laws impact land-use decisions here in Santa Monica, such as the survival of important environmental laws like the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) which mandate environmental review of big projects. Developers are working to gut CEQA, which would make it harder for residents to scale back or sue over faulty projects. Betsy will fight to ensure that doesn’t happen.”