John Kennedy
Even his opponents are now supporting him for council
This has been a very good week for Pasadena City Council candidate John Kennedy. First he received notice that Pasadena Police Chief Philip Sanchez was supporting his candidacy for District 3, then the Police Union and Sheriff Lee Baca announced they were supporting him for the Pasadena city council and then finally the other candidate Nicholas Benson announced Friday that he is ending his campaign and will support former opponent John J. Kennedy in the March 5 election.
Benson’s residency in the district, had been called into question along with other details of his background, including his true name and age by Pasadena newspaper.
Benson, released the following statement after pulling out of the council race:
“As a man of faith, it is important to me that as a community we focus on issues, not engage in character assassination,” he said. “Although I may have made some unintentional mistakes along the way, I am proud that my candidacy promoted issues important to the residents of District 3.”
Benson referred questions to Okorie Ezieme, a member of the Altadena Town Council who was serving as a consultant for his campaign.
Although Benson’s name will remain on the ballot, his departure leaves the City Council District 3 contest a two-man race between Kennedy, a Los Angeles Urban League executive, who has been endorsed by the Sentinel, and local Pasadena businessman Ishmael Trone.
