In the Los Angeles Primary Election on March 12^th, only 21% of the Registered Voters chose to exercise their right to democracy.  Better then some past elections, but still not an acceptable number in any way. 

Now, we are at the General Election on May 21^st.  Big names, big number$, big consequences.  BHGLAAR Public Policy Committee and Local Candidate Recommendation Committee (“LCRC”) have worked tirelessly for the past nine months interviewing candidate after candidate for these local races.

We had mostly wins in the Primary.  In the Valley, Assemblymember Bob Blumenfeld won Council District 3 outright (replacing Dennis Zine, running for Controller).  Paul Koretz sailed to an outright reelection victory in Council District 5 and so did Joe Buscaino in Council District 15.  Philipe Fuentes took Council District 7 in the Primary.  Mike Bonin, the designated heir to retiring Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, won Council District 11 outright in March as well.  No runoffs for Council Districts 3, 5, 7, 11, & 15.

The other “odd-numbered” seats all went to runoffs for the General Election.

Council District 1, the seat currently held by Ed Reyes who is termed-out, will be a runoff between Jose Gardea, Chief of Staff to Reyes, and former Assemblymember and Senator Gil Cedillo.

BHGLAAR LOCAL CANDIDATE PAC SUPPORTED CEDILLO IN THE PRIMARY AND IN THE GENERAL.

Council District 9, the seat held by Jan Perry, the 4^th placing candidate in the Mayors race, will be a runoff between Ana Cubas, Chief of Staff to Council District 14 Councilmember Jose Huizar, and Senator Curren Price.

BHLAAR LOCAL CANDIDATE PAC SUPPORTS CURREN PRICE IN BOTH THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL.

Council District 13, the seat currently held by Mayoral Candidate Eric Garcetti, will be a runoff between Attorney John Choi and Mitch O’Farrell, former District Director for Councilmember Garcetti.

BHGLAAR LOCAL CANDIDATE PAC SUPPORTS MITCH O’FARRELL IN THE GENERAL.

Want more?  There’s the Citywide offices to consider as well.

Mayor, runoff between top vote getter Eric Garcetti and Controller Wendy Greuel.  Garcetti’s campaign has benefitted from the endorsements of past candidates Kevin James, Jan Perry, and Emmanuel Pleitiz.  Combined the three had close to 150,000 votes.  Garcetti has also taken a position on the LAX runway issue.  LAX area residents agree with his position and have moved from the Wendy camp to the Eric camp.

BHGLAAR SUPPORTS WENDY GREUEL IN THE PRIMARY & GENERAL.

City Attorney, where a battle has really heated up.  Carmen Trutanich, the current City Attorney, lost his bid for District Attorney last year.  Now he is defending his position against former Assemblymember Mike Feuer in the General.

BHGLAAR LOCAL CANDIDATE PAC SUPPORTS CARMEN TRUTANICH IN THE GENERAL.

City Controller is a battle between Councilmember Dennis Zine and Ron Galperin.

BHGLAAR LOCAL CANDIDATE PAC SUPPORTS RON GALPERIN IN THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL.

Just remember, REALTOR® members, you must vote!  All votes make a difference.  Ask BHGLAAR member Robert Kronovet of Kronvet Realty about the margin of victory he received on his Rent Board seat.  Every vote counts!

I was honored recently to be invited back to member Toni Patillo’s radio show “Call Toni” heard on KTLK 1150 on Saturday afternoons at 3:00, with my esteemed colleagues Past President Gregg Pawlik of Coldwell Banker, Pacific Palisades, and Past President Robin Greenberg of Prudential Brentwood.  This was our second annual trip down this road.  We’re getting to be pretty good at it!  Thanks, Toni!