AD-43: Gatto Leads Crowded Field To Replace Krekorian

After Paul Krekorian was elected to the 2nd District of the Los Angeles City Council numerous people have stepped up to replace him in representing the 43rd Assemby District. One of them is my friend Mike Gatto. The others are Glendale school boardmember Nayiri Nahabedia and City Councilmember Wesson's staffer Andrew Westall.

What is so wild is that in order to represent the 43rd District next year at this time the successful candidate will have to win four elections:

1) On April 13th, 2010 there will be a special election to fill the seat.
2) If no one gets more than 50% of the vote then there will be a run-off election on June 8, 2010 for the right to serve out the rest of Krekorian's term.
3) However, also on June 8, 2010 will be a primary election for the right to be on the ballot to represent the 43rd district for a full 2-year term.
4) November 2, 2010 will be the statewide general election for 43rd District

It should be interesting to see which candidate gets through this punishing gauntlet of elections, with the concomitant fundraising and public appearance demands such non-stop campaigning requires.

MadProfessah endorses Mike Gatto.

Los Angeles CD-2 Election Today: Paul Krekorian

Today is the decision day for the 2nd District Los Angeles City Council race between businesswoman Christine Essel and Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, the top two finishers in the September 22nd special election. The seat became vacant when Wendy Greuel was elected City Controller in July. If Krekorian is elected (as MadProfessah hopes) then there will be another special election to replace his seat in the 43rd Assembly district. Greuel has endorsed Essel to replace her.

Most LGBT activists, most notably the Stonewall Democrats (of which MadProfessah is an elected steering committee member) are rooting for Krekorian to win. John Cleary, Stonewall President wrote the following letter of support for LGBT Democrats and their allies in the 2nd City Council District:

This is a very important time in our city and we need a leader who will listen to our concerns and act on our behalf. On December 8, we hope you will support Paul Krekorian for Los Angeles City Council. Paul has received the strong endorsement of Stonewall Democratic Club, Stonewall Young Democrats, and Senator Mark Leno because Paul has always been a trusted friend of our community and a strong advocate on issues that matter to us.

Senator Mark Leno, Chair of the Legislative LGBT Caucus, said “Paul Krekorian has always been a trusted friend of the LGBT community and a leader on the issues that matter to us. Paul was a coauthor of my bill, AB 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, and he fervently opposed Prop. 8. Paul Krekorian believes in and will fight for equality for all, and he deserves your support.”

Paul was a strong ally in our fight in opposition to Proposition 8. He was also among the group of legislators who filed an amicus brief in support of marriage equality with the California Supreme Court.

In addition, Paul has a lifetime 100% voting record from Equality California and was a coauthor of a Senate Joint Resolution that called for an end to “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”

Paul has been a longtime board member of the AIDS Community Action Foundation. He was the author of AB 1894, mandating that health insurers pay for HIV/AIDS testing in all settings, regardless of primary diagnosis.

Paul Krekorian is the right person at the right time to serve on the City Council. He is also the only candidate with a proven track record of fighting for our community. Please join me in supporting Paul on December 8.

There are 123,750 registered voters in the 2nd City Council District, and nearly 10,000 absentee ballots have been returned. Overall turnout is expected to be about 20%.

Below is the PDF of the actual letter sent out to 5,000 residents of LA CD-2.
Krekorian Support Letter

L.A. CD-2: Krekorian and Essel in Dec. 8 Runoff Election

MadProfessah-endorsed candidate Paul Krekorian was the top vote-getter in yesterday's special election in City Council District #2:

TAMAR GALATZAN                  1,871 12.94%
JOZEF "JOE" THOMAS ESSAVI       306 2.12%
CHRISTINE ESSEL              4,104 28.39%
MICHAEL MC CUE                  339 2.35%
PETE SANCHEZ                    699 4.84%
DAVID "ZUMA DOGG" SALTSBURG     410 2.84%
FRANK SHEFTEL                   441 3.05%
PAUL KREKORIAN               4,929 34.10%
MARY BENSON                     1,198 8.29%
AUGUSTO BISANI                  158 1.09%

Turnout was a measly 11.74% out of 123, 750 registered voters with more than half (55%) of all votes cast by mail. Krekorian will face Christine Essel in the Tuesday December 8 run-off election. If Krekorian wins, it will set off another special election for his 43rd District Assembly seat that he currently holds.