Just in the Nick of Time

​We take this moment for a point of personal privilege.  (I was going to say that it was “political”, as well, but that would have been far too much alliteration on a Sunday morning.)
 
As I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m friends with a good fellow named Nick Melvoin who sits on Los Angeles School Board, and was the only school board member re-elected in 2022 with over 50% of the vote in the primary so that he didn’t have to be in a run-off.  I bring this up again today for s specific reason.  But first it's important to note that Nick has had an impressive career, even for such a young one --
 
He’s a graduate of Harvard and got his MBA in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount, from which he went to teach at an inner-city middle school in Watts, coaching the soccer and baseball teams, and helping start the school newspaper.  He also has a law degree from NYU -- and worked in the Obama White House with the Domestic Policy Council...as well as the US Attorney’s office as a legal clerk, getting involved in civil rights investigations.  Oh, and he runs Camp Harmony, a camp for kids who are experiencing poverty, which he started working at as a counselor 21 years ago.

So, while I can be accused of bias for supporting the son of friends, I think it’s fair to say that my bias is highly justified.
 
I’ve brought up previously that Nick is running to replace Adam Schiff in California’s 30th district.  It’s a challenging race with many candidates, including several with reasonably-known elective credentials.
 
But that’s why I was exceedingly pleased to see that the Los Angeles Daily News just endorsed Nick in the race.

​Among the lengthy things the paper wrote, they explained, "If voters want sensible, scandal-free and balanced representation, Nick Melvoin is an excellent choice. He has our endorsement."

And all the better, he also just picked up an endorsement from Henry Waxman, a popular, long-time Congressman in Los Angeles who represented various districts in the city ("various" because of redistricting) for 40 years.

And previously, Nick was endorsed by Rep. Colin Allred, the congressman from Texas who is challenging Ted Cruz for the Senate.

It remains a difficult race because replacing Adam Schiff is so high-profile, making the district an important one.  But getting such endorsements for such a young candidate is seriously impressive.  But then, that's because Nick is, as well.

I close in full disclosure that I will be heading over soon to watch the Super Bowl with his parents.  I do this in part because of the football, in part because of the company, and in important part because they serve Chicago deep-dish pizza.  I have my priorities.