SAN DIEGO – A reception sponsored by the IATSE for Democratic Congressional candidate Julie Bornstein raised over $13,000 last night at the Westin Gaslamp Hotel here.  Bornstein, who has received the endorsement of the IA,  the California Democratic Party, and the California Labor Federation, is running in California’s 45 th Congressional District in Riverside County.

A former state legislator, Bornstein has also been endorsed by the two US Senators from California, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and over a dozen California state officials and organizations. Bornstein is challenging incumbent Mary Bono Mack for the seat, which Bono Mack has held for five terms. Citing Bono Mack’s 92% voting record with President Bush and the Republican leadership, Bornstein is the last Democrat to win a partisan election in Riverside County. To win her seat in the California Assembly, she built a coalition of Democratic activists, the Latino community, professionals, housing-industry members, Republican small business owners and independents.  Building on that coalition, Bornstein has added to her support by calling on her experience as Director of the California of Housing and Community Development, Chief Deputy State Controller, educator and Community College Trustee.

In endorsing Bornstein, IA President Thomas C. Short said, “Julie Bornstein is a candidate working families can rely on for the commitment and intelligence needed to help guide them through these times of crisis, especially in the volatile housing market and the health care quagmire.  The IATSE is proud to offer her our support.”