Kim Kardashian Is 'Feeling Hopeful' After Chat With Sen. Henry Stern

Calabasas CA

16 May, 2022

9:18 PM

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CALABASAS, CA — Kim Kardashian on Sunday offered her approval of state Sen. Henry Stern (D-Malibu) for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, District 3, in an Instagram story. "I just got off of a call with Senator Henry Stern and it left me feeling really hopeful," Kardashian said on Instagram. She added: "I really feel like we need people like him in office." The star called Stern up to discuss local issues ahead of the June 7 election. Voters will decide between Stern and five other candidates for a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors representing the massive 3rd District, which covers much of the San Fernando Valley and Kardashian's hometown of Calabasas. Kardashian connected with Stern in 2019 over the Santa Susana Field Laboratory cleanup, she said. (Courtesy of Henry Stern) The Santa Susana Field Laboratory is a former nuclear energy and rocket engine testing facility operated by Boeing, NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy. The testing contaminated the soil and waterways in the area with radioactive waste and chemicals, according to Boeing and the California Environmental Protection Agency. Community organizations and local officials have long called for a comprehensive cleanup of the contaminated area. Organizers with the group Parents Against the Santa Susana Field Lab note a "frightening" rate of cancer among residents of the immediate area, People reported. Kardashian has spoken out about the Santa Susana Field Laboratory multiple times and featured organizers on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" in 2019. Kardashian has since shown an interest in local environmental justice issues, Stern said. The two discussed pollutants affecting the San Fernando Valley, the Aliso Canyon Gas leak's aftermath, oil and gas drilling and the climate crisis, Stern said. "She's not just a celebrity, she's a pretty serious advocate too and I really came to respect her looking out for normal moms like her … who just needed a voice," Stern said. She is one of many constituents who calls him up to discuss local issues, he said. "The areas that we grew up in — the mountains and oceans all around us — really deserve to be protected, and he does such a good job of fighting for that and being our voice," Kardashian said. Stern is hoping the publicity from Kardashian will turn into some local votes ahead of the competitive race. "The more, the merrier," Stern said.