Former State Assemblymember 44th District Anthony Portantino held a state senate campaign launch party on Sunday. The campaign, according to Portantino, is in response to strong community encouragement to throw his hat into the senate race.

Over 350 friends and neighbors from across the foothills attended the event, including the mayors of Pasadena, Monrovia and South Pasadena.

“I decided to hold a June party because so many folks across the foothills have been asking me how they could help position me to run for the senate when my good friend and neighbor Carol Liu terms out of office in 2016,” said Portantino.

Portantino’s Crescenta Valley supporters include many long-time residents, including CV Town Council President Cheryl Davis, community activists Steve Pierce and Paul Rabinov, and business leaders such as Rick Dinger and Leonard Ghazarian, president, Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“I have known Anthony for many years. He doesn’t just show up for the ribbon cutting, he comes to the very first meeting and offers his help,” said Rabinov. “He did that with the Rosemont Preserve property. He was there on day one and he as instrumental in helping secure the final piece of the puzzle, too.”

Portantino is the former mayor of La Cañada Flintridge and resides in that city.