Waxman draws well-known opponent in spiritual leader Williamson

After longtime Rep. Henry Waxman survived an $8-million challenge from a deep-pocketed independent candidate in 2012, some political observers thought the Beverly Hills Democrat would not draw another substantial challenge this time around.

But spiritual leader, best-selling author and friend of many in the entertainment industry Marianne Williamson has decided to seek Waxman’s Westside-South Bay seat this year.

A longtime Democrat, Williamson has re-registered with “no party preference” so she can run as an independent. She hopes to reach voters who have become disaffected with the political establishment.

“This is a journey we’re all taking together over the next few months,” Williamson told the scores of volunteers who showed up at a Venice spiritual center to help with her campaign.

Some pundits give Williamson long odds against Waxman, known for his work on healthcare, the environment and tobacco regulation, among other issues.

“Sometimes people don’t realize it takes time to gets things through,” Waxman said, calling his long tenure in the job an asset, not a liability. “They think you can just show up and wave a wand and get things done.”

Another independent, TV producer-director Brent Roske, also is running and Bill Bloomfield, the man who challenged Waxman in 2012, said recently he was considering whether to try again this year.

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Twitter: @jeanmerl