Here's an interesting development in what is already emerging as an intriguing Democratic primary on the Central Coast next year: Just days after former Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson stood alongside Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams as he officially announced his candidacy for Assembly, a prominent friend and mentor of Jackson endorsed Williams' opponent, Susan Jordan.

The Jordan campaign today announced the support of former state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, the former law professor and child actress from Santa Monica who helped Jackson get her start in politics and has long been one of her closest allies.

For Jordan, whose activies on behalf of the Coastal Protection Network and Vote the Coast have well established her credentials as an advocate for the environment, the Kuehl endorsement could help with two other significant constituencies in the Democratic primary in the 35th Assembly District. Kuehl was the state's first openly gay legislator and is a star in the gay community. In addition, she has been the chief proponent of single-payer healthcare, a movement that has both grassroots support and the strong support of the California Nurses Association.

The campaign's statement on the endorsement quotes Kuehl praising Jordan: "Her passionate support for equality for all Californians makes her the absolute right candidate for me and for the 35th."

Jordan is the wife of incumbent Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, who will be termed out next year. The 35th District includes Santa Barbara, Ventura and much of Oxnard.