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State Sen. Ted Lieu as expected jumped into the Democratic side of the race for the 33rd congressional district seat being vacated by Henry Waxman. He claimed the endorsement of Rep. Maxine Waters, who backed rival Wendy Greuel when she ran for mayor last year, as well as state Controller John Chiang and others. Daily Breeze, LAT, KPCC, Los Angeles Magazine
- Greuel told Rick Orlov, “When I heard about Henry retiring, I felt the fire in the belly. It would be an honor and a privilege to succeed Henry Waxman. He is an icon." Daily News
- Greuel is still trying to get out from under the debt left by her 2013 race for mayor, and has reached a deal with consultant John Shallman to forgive some of what he is owed. Mayor Eric Garcetti, meanwhile, says he has raised enough to retire his campaign debt. DN
- Waxman's legacy was a big topic in certain media heading into the weekend.
- Former Supervisor Ed Edelman is telling friends via email that he endorses Bobby Shriver for his old seat on the Board of Supervisors.
- The political war over plastic bags (ostensibly) between State Sen. Kevin de León, soon to the Senate's president pro-tem in Sacramento, and Supervisor Gloria Molina. Rick Orlov's Tipoff
- Former U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, the front-runner for an open seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, faced a federal inquiry concerning her involvement in a fundraiser for President Obama, according to two sources familiar with the case. LAT
- Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, facing media scrutiny over renovation work done at his home, has belatedly obtained a permit to work on his garage. LAT
- Independent candidate Dan Schnur "may represent a new trend and the embodiment of California political reform," George Skelton writes. "Then again, he may be just another wannabe officeholder living in fantasy land." LAT column
- Sherman Oaks entrepreneur Pablo Kleinman, 42, is set to kick off a Republican campaign against Rep. Brad Sherman Monday on local radio shows. LAT
- Highly competitive congressional races in California, attracting interest across the nation, were already drawing many millions of dollars in donations even before the election year began, according to new campaign reports and a team of LA Times reporters.
- Garcetti's surprising and controversial other hire at the DWP — former general manager David Wiggs. Kerry Cavanaugh/Opinion LA
- Jeremy Oberstein is leaving as communication director for Councilman Paul Krekorian to take a position with political consultants Three Point Media.
- It's back to San Diego politics as usual in unusual mayoral election, says Tony Perry. LAT
Raphael J. Sonenshein in the Jewish Journal: His career stands as a challenge to those who claim Congress cannot function.
Harold Meyerson at American Prospect : Liberalism’s Legislative Genius Calls It Quits.
Frank Stoltze at KPCC: The power of Henry Waxman’s gavel and questions.
