What to make of Tuesday’s election results when Los Angeles voters appeared to be talking out of both sides of their ballots?
All but one of the Los Angeles City Council races were as formful as a Mona Lisa replica – incumbents, even troubled ones, dashing untouched across the finish line with only termed-out Tom LaBonge’s successor to be determined in a May 19 runoff.
The LAUSD School Board results reminded some of the messy way the School District frequently is characterized:
How do you rate a freshly baked collapsed cake that is tasty but resembles an underfed pancake?
For analyses, community leader Damien Goodmon possesses one of the keenest observational eyes.
Even he is puzzled, especially by the School Board outcomes.
Incumbents Tamar Galatzan, Richard Vladovic and Bennett Kayser all were forced into runoffs. Mr. Kayser Not only fell more than 14 points below the threshold, he even lost his race to Ref Rodriguez.
“I would not be surprised if the incumbents all won their runoffs,” Mr. Goodmon said.
“Nor would I be surprised if all of them lost.”
The single particle of good incumbent news was that holdover George McKenna, representing South Los Angeles, where Mr. Goodmon lives, cruised. Forced to re-run for office seven months after winning a special election, Mr. McKenna’s joie de vivre and lifelong reputation for achievement discouraged previously beaten rivals from testing him again. That made him the only incumbent to smile on Election Night.
Mr. Goodmon noted that not only did the other three School Board incumbents fall miles short of the threshold, President Vladovic, running against Lydia Gutierrez, was the only member to reach as modest a level as 42 percent.
(To be continued)
