(June 27, 2007, initial post, further to follow) -- Elected to the state legislature less than a year ago after six years on the LB City Council, Assememblywoman Laura Richardson is one step away from becoming America's newest member of Congress, finishing first among a field of 11 Democrats that included State Senator Jenny Oropeza (D., soutbbay).

Assemblywoman Richardson now proceeds to an August 21 runoff against Republican John Kanaley, Green Daniel Brezenoff and Libertarian Herb Peters in a district drawn in 2001 by Sacramento Dems -- including then-Assemblywoman Oropeza -- to favor re-electing the late Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (D., Carson-LB).

To view the election results with all precincts reporting, click here.

LBReport.com provides VIDEO coverage of Assemblywoman Richardson's remarks to her supporters at the Stadium Club atop Carson's Home Depot Center...in which she paraphrased Scripture on the death of Moses -- adapted to describe a successor going to Watts, Willowbrook, Carson and Compton to lead the way to the promised land. "Amen" said some in the crowd. Assemblywoman Richardson called it prophetic that she had worked for the late Congresswoman Millender-McDonald who mentored her years ago.

To view LBReport.com VIDEO of her remarks, click here.

In closing her remarks, Assemblywoman Richardson said, "The blessing is that I'm 45, so I've got plenty of years to give."

Asked by a reporter from the L.A. Sentinel how she would approach the runoff, Assemblywoman Richardson said with a big smile, "Let's go to Washington!" To hear the interview (conducted over the P.A. system), click here. (MP3, 1.8 MB)

Turning to L.A. County Federation of Labor Executive Secretary/Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo (who delivered the backing of most of local organized labor), Assemblywoman Richardson said, "They said we couldn't do it, but si se puede! Si se puede" [Yes, it's possible]

Ms. Durazo provided key resources for Richardson, denying Oropeza a core Democrat constituency after Oropeza supported Indian-compacts with provisions unhelpful to labor organizers.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians poured large sums into an independent campaign backing Oropeza.

Assemblywoman Richardson received a congratulatory cell phone call from Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D., L.A.) from DC as she stood alongside Ms. Durazo (on mike) flanked by former Assembly Speaker (now L.A. Councilman) Herb Wesson, Assemblyman/former Congressman Mervyn Dymally, former Assemblywoman Gwen Moore and others.

Assemblywoman Richardson's supporters included LB'ers Ahmed Carl Saafir and Alex Cherin...

John Malveaux of LB's Central City Association watched the prceedings.

Maria Norvell joined the Assemblywoman by a laptop, watching the results as they rolled in on the internet.