Culver City Feels The Bern

Culver City got a surprise last Friday as the Bernie Sanders juggernaut rolled through the city on his way to a private meeting in the Hayden Tract.

Obviously craving some coffee, the Sanders SUVs loaded with Secret Service agents and a CHP motorcycle escort pulled up in front of Tanner's Coffee on Sepulveda Blvd. Tanner's is next door to the offices of the Culver City Observer.

Bernie and his Secret Service escort disappeared inside the popular coffee shop for about 15 minutes after which Sanders emerged with a smile and a wave and a steaming hot cup of coffee. With a smile and a wave to the astonished crowd outside he climbed back into the SUV and was whisked off to his next appointment.

Sanders has closed the gap in California in next Tuesday's primary election where Hillary Clinton once led by more than 60 percentage points. That lead has shrunk to six percent.

Local voters will also vote on a replacement for United States Senator Barbara Boxer who is retiring. In an interesting change the top two vote getters will face each other in the November General Election regardless of political party.

In Culver City Congresswoman Karen Bass and State Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas are both up for re-election. Given the lopsided Democratic registration in the district the two incumbents should have no problem getting reelected.

Culver City's State Senator Holly Mitchell is not on the ballot this year. State Senators are elected to two year terms.