Congressional Campaign: Ruiz Gains More Endorsements

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected Tuesday to endorse Democrat Raul Ruiz, who is trying to unseat Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, in the 36th Congressional District.

Ruiz campaign spokesman Patrick Boland said Villaraigosa will hold a news conference at the Los Angeles County Democratic Party's East Los Angeles office to endorse Ruiz and Mark Takano, who is running for the 41st Congressional District seat in the Riverside area.

According to Boland, Villaraigosa will speak about the "need for the Latino community to get out and vote and support Democratic candidates like Takano and Ruiz, who will help President Obama effect real change like comprehensive immigration reform and a jobs package and will fight against Republican plans to end the Medicare guarantee."

The Villaraigosa endorsement comes on the heels of another new Ruiz supporter-- this one a bit more unexpected.

On Sunday, newspaper The Desert Sun officially endorsed the candidate, after having supported Bono Mack for several years.

"The Desert Sun respects and celebrates the contributions of Rep.Bono Mack," the newspaper wrote.  "Fourteen years ago, we endorsed a political novice with a dream about changing the tenor of Washington politics. It’s time to challenge ourselves again, to celebrate a passionate new voice for the Coachella Valley."

The congressional race for the 36th district has been heating up over the last few weeks, with millions of dollars now having been spent.  

In addition to ads and endorsements playing a key role in this race, other people and organizations are weighing in just ahead of Nov. 6.  This weekend, the Bono Mack campaign was criticized by the Agua Caliente tribe for recent tactics.

This statement was issued by The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians:

“The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has always worked hard to maintain a solid, positive relationship with Representative Mary Bono Mack, because we felt that such a relationship was not only important for members of the Tribe, but for the entire community. Until recently, we thought that respect was mutual.

“That is why it was all the more troubling that through her words and the actions of her campaign, she chose to disrespect the Native American community in her attacks against Raul Ruiz.

“Instead of apologizing for her insensitive comments and unacceptable campaign behavior, as we hoped she would, Congresswoman Bono Mack is claiming that our concerns are politically motivated. She went even further this week, and accused our Tribe of being pushed by the Democratic Party to attack her.

“The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is a sovereign nation whose only interests lie with the health and well-being of our Tribe and the communities in which we live. It is our sincere desire to see that the Coachella Valley is represented by a leader who respects all of the people who live here.”

What do YOU think?  Do you think these endorsements will help the Ruiz campaign?