VENTURA, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Erin Brockovich, a prominent figure in trial attorney circles, is appearing in ads for a conservative California Republican running for the state Senate.

A new campaign ad for Tony Strickland features an endorsement from Brockovich, the outspoken legal clerk whose story was portrayed in a 2000 blockbuster film about how she helped plaintiffs' attorney Ed Masery get a $333 million judgment against Pacific Gas and Electric Company over groundwater contamination in a California desert town.

"I am a consumer advocate and I'm a Democrat," Brockovich says in the ad. "But I'm also an independent thinker. And so is Tony Strickland."

Brockovich, a registered Democrat and consultant to trial attorneys, said she does not agree with Strickland, a former state assemblyman, on every issue.

"Look, we don't always agree, but who does?" Brockovich asks in the ad. "Tony listens, he's open to new ideas, and he gets it done. And that's good enough for me."

Strickland is running against Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson, who served alongside Strickland in the state Assembly, in the 19th Senate District, which includes parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

In 2006, Strickland was the 2006 Republican nominee for California state controller.

From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.