The California Police Chiefs Association has endorsed candidate Laurette Healey for State Assembly for the 40th district.

"Former Deputy State Controller Laurette Healey is a seasoned candidate who will offer to the legislature the progressive thinking that made her a successful entrepreneur combined with experienced fiscal responsibility in her role as former Deputy State Controller, and that's exactly the kind of friend to law enforcement needed in Sacramento given the fiscal challenges facing this state in the years ahead," said Richard Word president of the California Police Chiefs Association.

"Police Chiefs protect over 76 percent of Californians and we take our endorsement very, very seriously. We are convinced that Laurette Healey will be a strong advocate for effective public safety for all of our communities," said Word.

According to John Lovell, lobbyist for CPCA "88 percent of all candidates endorsed by CPCA go on to win their election."

The California Police Chiefs Association was established in 1966 to provide programs, services, and representation that serve the interest and responsibilities of California's municipal police chiefs. Police chiefs are the primary providers of front-line law enforcement in California, protecting more than three quarters of Californians.

"I am honored by the endorsement of the California Police Chiefs Association and given that violent crime has risen 40 percent in the 40th Assembly District since the beginning of 2007, I pledge to work with law enforcement, as well as civic and elected leaders in our community to allocate the resources necessary to combat crime. Law enforcement must be adequately funded," says Healey.

Laurette Healey is the only female Democratic Candidate in the race for the 40th Assembly District.

She is endorsed by the California League of Conservation Voters, the Victory Fund, Sens. Sheila Kuehl, Ellen Corbett, Christine Kehoe and Majority Whip Carol Migden, as well as Assemblymembers John Laird, Mark Leno, Hon. Paul Koretz, Hon. Jackie Goldberg, LA DWP General Manager David Nahai, Hon. Steve Westly, LA City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, and Dr. Marlene Bane, AJC President's Council Chair, and wife of the late Hon. Tom Bane, who served as the district's Assemblymember for more than 20years.