Veteran politician Curren Price Jr. will face-off against first-time political candidate Ana Cubas on May 21 during the general election for the Los Angeles City Council 9th District seat.
Based on unofficial voting results from Tuesday, Price (27.22 percent) and Cubas (23.96 percent) were the top two vote-getters in a field of seven.
Cubas bested veteran politician Mike Davis (who collected 15.69 percent of ballots) as well as David Roberts, a longtime City Hall operative much like herself.
The election was characterized by low voter turnout–292,760 of about 1.81 million went to the polls citywide, and only about 9,000 of the 77,154 voters registered in the 9th District cast ballots.
Additionally, the South L.A. Power Coalition decried some of the racially divisive tactics and rhetoric that plagued the race.
“Today, our neighbors came together and decided they are ready for new leadership in the 9th District,” said Senator Curren Price during his campaign celebration Tuesday night. “You know, looking at all of you tonight, I am again reminded that the 9th District’s biggest strength is its people. The diversity in this room, and throughout the 9th is our greatest asset. Some may have tried to divide us, but you showed all of Los Angeles what can be accomplished when all of our communities come together for a common purpose.”
Curren continued, “throughout this campaign, I have been humbled by the broad support you have given to us. Street by street, block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, we have heard your voices.”
Cubas says she is not surprised but encouraged by her showing in the poll. “Our campaign is a community-focused effort and the people responded to that message.
“We walked precincts and talked to thousands of voters. We visited a diversity of churches from Baptist to Catholic to nondenominational. And talked to nearly everyone in every part of the district,” Cubas noted.
In other unofficial election results, Eric Garcetti (32.93 percent) will meet face-to-face with Wendy Greuel (29.19 percent) in May for the city’s job as the top elected official.
The other major candidates vying for the mayor’s seat finished in this order: Kevin James (16.36 percent); Jan Perry (15.93 percent); and Emanuel Alberto Pleitez (4.10 percent).
In the race for city attorney, incumbent Carmen Trutanich (30.17 percent) trailed challenger and former city councilman Mike Feurer (43.76 percent). They will meet again in May. Greg Smith came in third with 17.43 percent of ballots cast.
Ron Galperin (37.12 percent) and Dennis P. Zine (37.03 percent) will face-off for city controller.
The City Council will also welcome three new members–Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield (51.62 percent) will represent the West San Fernando Valley in District 3. He defeated five opponents, including Joyce J. Person (19.96 percent) and Elizabeth Badger (9.39 percent).
In Council District 7, Filipe Fuentes (51.32 percent) defeated Nicole Chase (27 percent), Krystee Clark (10.87 percent) and Jesse David Barron (10.79 percent) to replace termed out Richard Alarcon. Fuentes will represent residents in Northeast San Fernando Valley.
Mike Bonin (61.19) defeated Tina Hess (17.95 percent), Frederick Sutton (11.64 percent) and Odysseus Bostick (9.19 percent) to replace District 11th Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represented the coastal communities of the Westside and did not run for re-election.
In District 15, Joe Buscaino, (83.33 percent) defeated James T. Law (16.66 percent). Buscaino will embark on a second term in a district that includes the community of Watts.
On the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees, Mike Eng (63.8 percent) defeated John C. Burke (36.17 percent) to win seat No. 2; Ernest Moreno (67.24 percent) topped Jozef Essavi (32.75 percent) to win seat No. 4; and in Seat 6, there will be a runoff between David Vela (35.44 percent) and incumbent Nancy Pearlman (28.96 percent). Pearlman is seeking a fourth term on the board.
Voters shot down Proposition A, (55.17 vs. 44.82 percent), an attempt to enact a half-cent transactions and use tax to provide funding for a variety of city services, including police and fire emergency services, senior services, gang and drug-prevention programs, pothole and sidewalk repair.
At the same time, residents approved Proposition B, (58.03 vs. 41.96 percent) to amend the city charter to authorize the City Council to allow sworn police personnel who are transferred from the Department of General Services (DGS) to the Police Department (LAPD) to purchase, at their own expense, retirement credit for prior sworn city service after they have become members of the Fire and Police Pension Plan.
