---

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/76/048e-76c1f957.png)

 [ NEIGHBORHOOD ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=327)

#  Erickson, Goldsmith Advance; Progressive-Moderate Showdown Set for November

June 18 2026

Written by Nick Antonicello.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

WESTSIDE - After months of campaigning and millions spent engaging voters, West Hollywood Councilmember John Erickson pulled into first place this week with businessman, entrepreneur and educator Brian Goldsmith finishing a close second to succeed the retiring Senator Ben Allen, himself locked in a competitive race to become California's next Insurance Commissioner.

Erickson is currently in the lead with 62,271 votes or 20.5% of the vote followed closely by Goldsmith with 55,521 or 18.2% in this crowded field now reduced to just two. Two Republicans followed in G. Rick Marshall of Torrance with 53,267 or 17.5% and finishing fourth was Kristina Irwin with 42,855 or 14.1%.

Rounding out the top five finishers was Dr. Sion Roy of Santa Monica, the official choice of the California Democratic Party with 41,879 or 13.7%.

Initial numbers had Marshall in second, as the two primary Republicans accounted for over 96,000 votes cast. With the field now set, the race appears to be a choice between the far left versus a center moderate with the campaign readjusting to just a two-horse field.

Reached via e-mail, Erickson said he would actively pursue the support of the unsuccessful Democrats but had no interest in reaching out to either Marshall or Irwin.

“I am giving space to the candidates who did not make it to the General as I am sure they are taking time to reflect on the race. I look forward to connecting with them in the coming weeks. As a Democrat who will ardently stand up to the Trump Administration, I will not be reaching out to the two Republican candidates that ran, as we are very far apart on the fundamental issues of equity, affordability and safety for all.," offered the West Hollyood Councilmember.

For the Republican Marshall, the race is now effectively over.

"There is no upside for me. I ran on ending one-party rule and was hopeful that Irwin and I would finish first and second, but that didn't happen," observed the candidate. On the core issues of homelessness and public safety, Marhall didn't see much synergy between him and the two remaining Democrats.

Adam Schiff, Goldsmith's campaign manager offered the following statement on the contest moving forward:

"Brian's message is clearly breaking through. We advanced to the general election by building a powerful, broad-based coalition of Democrats and others. Now that the primary is behind us, Brian will continue reaching across the political spectrum to unite voters who are ready to move our district forward.

Brian is actively engaging with former candidates, community leaders, and constituents in every part of the 24th District about the issues that matter most: cost of living, safety, building for the future, and fighting hate and division. We announced an exciting endorsement from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin just this morning and will share many more new endorsements from within the district in the coming days and weeks.", noted Schiff.

Following the latest release of primary results, Goldsmith’s campaign released [this video](https://www.instagram.com/bmgoldsmith/reel/DZbi3t0Kv_G/) and following statement:

*“I’m grateful to advance to the general election after more than 300,000 voters participated in our primary election. I salute my fellow candidates for the campaigns they ran.*

*Over the coming months, I’ll continue meeting with people across the district—residents, working families, business owners, elected officials, and community leaders—to hear their ideas and share my vision for SD24."*

In one of the most expensive races this cycle, District 24 has a Democratic voter registration advantage of 50% to just 21% Republican and 23% stating no party preference. Its boundaries are Malibu and Santa Monica to the north and the City of Torrance to the south.

Erickson, the only elected official in the field, enjoys support from the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the California Working Families Party. While Goldsmith earned the support of the California Association of Highway Patrolman and the Blue Wave Democrats.

In terms of fundraising, Goldsmith financially dominated with over $4 million raised to just $808,000 for Erickson. Goldsmith had $2.5 million in small donations while self-funding $1.85 million. Two of his larger contributors were billionaire developer Rick Caruso and his wife Tina, both contributing $11,800 each.

According to *Cal Matters*, Erickson had $3,500 in small donors, while self-funding to the tune of $150. His large donors were for the most part public employee unions such as AFSCME, and the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, both donating $11,800 each.

Erickson also enjoys labor's financial support from the CTA ($11,800), LA County Firefighter's Local #1014 ($11,800), SEIU Local 2015 ($11,800), and the United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund ($11,800).

One of Erickson's larger individual donors is commercial real estate agent Jay Luchs ($5,900) and real estate developer and investor, Arik Chaim ($9,000). His largest individual donor, according to *Cal Matters,* is the entrepreneur and social impact investor, Jessica Sarowitz ($11,800).

As an open seat, look for the fundraising to escalate as this race to replace Ben Allen has really just begun.

*Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of Venice who in a previous life served as a legislative aide to a New Jersey Assemblymember &amp; Senator. Antonicello is a regular contributor to City Watch LA and will cover the numerous runoff races such as LD #24. Have a take or a tip? Contact him via e-mail at* [*nantoni@mindspring.com*](mailto:nantoni@mindspring.com)

 [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Your Free DIY Lawn-To-Garden Resource](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/LADWP_LEAP_300x250.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/88 "LA DWP - Home")

 [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")

 [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Name

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/88/071n-88bb0b90.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

### [Follow the Money: How Does a $3,662 Apartment Become “Affordable Housing”?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - ED 1 Is Redeveloping Los Angeles—One Neighborhood at a Time You know that persistent, annoyin…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/44/071d-441a7ed2.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

### [As California Debated Sharing Data On Drivers, Homeland Security Subpoenaed 17 Million Records](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

TECHNOLOGY - California lawmakers wrestled with a difficult question earlier this summer: Could the state safely share…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/1a/071i-1a9188c0.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33304:l-a-s-unlimited-political-money-pipeline-when-public-officials-become-fundraisers-for-powerful-interests&catid=401)

### [L.A.’s Unlimited Political Money Pipeline: When Public Officials Become Fundraisers for Powerful Interests](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33304:l-a-s-unlimited-political-money-pipeline-when-public-officials-become-fundraisers-for-powerful-interests&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Los Angeles limits campaign contributions, restricts gifts to public officials and requires financial…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/d2/071k-d2400b59.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33303:the-babcock-avenue-burnout-is-nithya-raman-truly-ready-to-occupy-city-hall-room-300&catid=327)

### [The Babcock Avenue Burnout: Is Nithya Raman Truly Ready to Occupy City Hall Room 300?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33303:the-babcock-avenue-burnout-is-nithya-raman-truly-ready-to-occupy-city-hall-room-300&catid=327)

IN MY VIEW - This opinion article was going to be a much larger assessment of Councilmember Nithya Raman’s almost seven…

---

##  [ NEIGHBORHOOD ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071p.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33297:a-system-of-care-paul-duncan-on-homelessness-and-human-connection&catid=327)### [A System of Care: Paul Duncan on Homelessness and Human Connection](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33297:a-system-of-care-paul-duncan-on-homelessness-and-human-connection&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071q.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33298:the-fallacy-of-police-abolitionism&catid=327)### [The Fallacy of Police Abolitionism](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33298:the-fallacy-of-police-abolitionism&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071k.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33303:the-babcock-avenue-burnout-is-nithya-raman-truly-ready-to-occupy-city-hall-room-300&catid=327)### [The Babcock Avenue Burnout: Is Nithya Raman Truly Ready to Occupy City Hall Room 300?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33303:the-babcock-avenue-burnout-is-nithya-raman-truly-ready-to-occupy-city-hall-room-300&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071f.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33309:10-reasons-why-washington-blvd-must-be-cleared-of-illegally-parked-stationary-vehicles-now&catid=327)### [10 Reasons why Washington Blvd must be cleared of illegally parked, stationary vehicles now! ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33309:10-reasons-why-washington-blvd-must-be-cleared-of-illegally-parked-stationary-vehicles-now&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071c.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33310:yimbys-are-a-threat-to-rent-control-and-affordable-housing&catid=327)### [YIMBYs Are a Threat to Rent Control and Affordable Housing](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33310:yimbys-are-a-threat-to-rent-control-and-affordable-housing&catid=327)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>