Local Election Returns As Expected

Sentinel endorsees on cruise control to victory

Low voter turnout did nothing to ruin victory celebrations for candidates endorsed by the Los Angeles Sentinel in spring primary on March 3 in Los Angeles County.

Although just a fraction of the votes had been tabulated, it appeared that Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa had held off nine opponents to win reelection easily out distancing his closes rival Walter Moore by more than 20,000 votes.

"Angelenos, I promise you this: We are going to pick up where we began. I will work as hard as you do every single day.

And, as a City, we will never, ever stop reaching for the stars. Thank you Los Angeles. Thank you one and all," Mayor Villaraigosa told his supporters following his landslide win.

Other clear-cut victors included City Councilwoman Jan Perry, who ran unopposed in the 9th district, and former City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, who was winning in a landslide in the race for City Controller against rival Nick Patsaouras.

"I love being a public servant and it's the most satisfying and fulfilling thing that a person can do," said Perry who has served for eight years.

She pledged to focus on building more affordable housing in the city that would address all economic levels.

Yet another candidate endorsed by the Sentinel, longtime City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, won reelection in district 15 and City Councilman Eric Garcetti repeated in district 13.

In the Community College seat elections, Angela J. Reddock defeated four candidates to earn Seat 2 while Sentinel endorsee Greg Akili lost the election for Seat 6 to Nancy Pearlman.

Los Angeles School Board of Education Member Monica Garcia ran unopposed in district No. 2.

African American Carson mayoral candidate Mike Gipson was leading his rivals to become mayor at presstime.

Despite the record number of people who voted on Election Day in November in the national and local elections, the momentum has not carried into these primaries four months later.

One of the possible factors was the lack of viable challengers to the incumbent officials and the majority of voters, comfortable with the way things are, remained home.

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