Sherman gets party endorsement

The Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley endorsed Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) by a 62% margin last week for the newly drawn 30th Congressional District, which includes a sliver of west Burbank.

He won the endorsement over fellow Congressional incumbent Howard Berman (D-Valley Village). About 50 members of the organization's executive board voted. The group represents 27 Democratic clubs in the San Fernando Valley, including clubs in Burbank and Glendale.

The Burbank Democratic Club has also endorsed Sherman on its own, according to club president Larry Nemecek.

Sherman, Berman and GOP challenger Susan Shelley are the three candidates who so far have thrown their hats into the ring for an open primary in June 2012.

The two top vote-getters will head to the general election in November.

The race is expected to be a nail-biter because Berman and Sherman have been Congressmen for many years. They now will go head-to-head because they both live in the new 30th District, which was created during redistricting earlier this year.

The district covers large sections of south and west San Fernando Valley. About 50% of the new district is within Sherman's current one.