Spiritual author Marianne Williamson, running for Rep. Henry Waxman’s Congressional seat, to appear in Redondo Beach

Spiritual author Marianne Williamson, running for Rep. Henry Waxman’s Congressional seat, to appear in Redondo Beach

Noted spiritual author Marianne Williamson is running for the 33rd Congressional District seat held by Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman. 


By City News Service
POSTED: 10/24/13, 9:41 AM PDT |
REDONDO BEACH — Spiritual author and lecturer Marianne Williamson will discuss her campaign for the 33rd Congressional District seat held by Rep. Henry Waxman during an appearance tonight at the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in Redondo Beach.

Williamson is scheduled to be at the bookstore at 2810 Artesia Blvd. from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Williamson declared her candidacy Sunday, telling supporters at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, “it’s time for a politics of conscience, a new chapter in our history in which love is not minimized, the voices of women and children are not marginalized and the future of the United States is not bartered for a pot of unrighteous gold.”

Williamson said her main issue is the undue influence of moneyed interests on the political system.

“We have developed over the last few decades a system of legalized corruption in the United States in which those with money are accorded much more political influence than those who are without,” Williamson said. “And that is not democracy.”

Williamson said she also plans to discuss gerrymandering, the economy, climate change and sustainable energy, child poverty and higher education in her campaign in the district that stretches along the coast from Malibu to Rancho Palos Verdes and also includes Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Beverly Hills and other portions of the Westside.

Williamson described herself as a lifelong Democrat, but said she will appear on the June primary ballot without a party designation because of her belief that both parties are too beholden to corporate interests.

“I’m not just concerned by where the parties are different,” Williamson said. “I’m even more concerned by where they are too much the same.”

There was no immediate response from Waxman, D-Beverly Hills, to Williamson’s candidacy.

Williamson is the author of 10 books, six of which have appeared on The New York Times best-sellers list. She founded Project Angel Food in 1990, which provides food to homebound people with AIDS in the Los Angeles area.

Williamson is also the founder of the The Peace Alliance, which supports creation of a United States Department of Peace.

Williamson said she does not think of Waxman, who has been in the House since 1975, as her opponent.

“We’re simply candidates for the same position,” Williamson said.

“Mr. Waxman has been a good congressman for 38 years and I believe he deserves appreciation and respect. But a new conversation is required now and the political status quo — even the best of it — cannot provide that.

“Waxman knows many things because he’s been in Congress for 38 years, but I know many things because I have not been. Institutional memory is important in any organization, but so are fresh ideas.”