LONG BEACH, Calif. (KNX) — Long Beach City Councilmember Al Austin announced Friday he would be running to represent the newly created 69h State Assembly District this year in Sacramento.
Austin has served three terms as Long Beach’s councilmember representing the 8th City District. His decision came two days after four-term Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D.-Long Beach) announced he would be retiring from the legislature. O’Donnell’s 70th Congressional District included much of the new 69th District.
Austin faces some competition for the new seat, however, which mostly consists of the city of Long Beach, Signal Hill, and the community of Avalon on Catalina Island. Josh Lowenthal, son of retiring Long Beach congressional representative Alan Lowenthal.
The city lawmaker was first elected to the Long Beach City Council in 2012, and was reelected in 2016 and 2020. He has also served as president of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. Prior to politics, he worked in the aerospace industry.
“I’ve spent my career fighting for working families as a labor representative and as a city councilmember,” Austin said in a statement. “I’m proud of the work I’ve done throughout this region and I’m running for Assembly to bring experienced leadership that will give our community a voice in Sacramento.”
The primary for the 69th Assembly District will take place on June 7, with the top two finishers facing off in Nov. 8's general election.
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