[img]1717|right|Mr. Price||no_popup[/img]Culver City is expected to lose its state senator of the last four years tomorrow. Curren Price Jr., 62 years old, is favored to defeat Ana Cubas, 42, in the runoff to win the open 9th District seat on the Los Angeles City Council.
When state Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris’s endorsement of Mr. Price was announced this morning, it re-emphasized the influential ties that he has courted and won during his seven years in the state capital.
Down to the last 24 hours before live voting begins, such moves underscore Mr. Price’s gaping advantage over Ms. Cubas in several areas – prestigious support, compounded by an overwhelming lead in fundraising from labor unions, corporations and industry giants, along with name recognition.
Gov. Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Mayor Villaragosa, City Council President Herb Wesson, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Sheriff Lee Baca, police and fire unions, and leading voices in labor are backing the Price campaign.
Mr. Price counts among his backers the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; Service Employees International Union, AFSCME Local 685; United Teachers Los Angeles, Unite Here, United Farm Workers; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and Stonewall Democrats.
Mr. Price or Ms. Cubas will take office, along with a mayor and other new officials, on Monday, July 1, six weeks from this morning.
Four years ago this month, Mr. Price, after three years in the state Assembly, handily won a special election to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Ridley-Thomas, just elected County Supervisor. Mr. Price’s successor also would be chosen in a special election.
Ms. Harris said she is backing Mr. Price because he has prioritized public safety.
“Curren’s approach to public safety is what Los Angeles needs right now,” she said. “Addressing crime from a prevention standpoint is essential to preserving public safety. He brings innovative ideas to the table to reduce recidivism and improve law enforcement’s ability to quickly solve crimes. He understands that City Hall must work hand-in-hand with law enforcement and community stakeholders to make neighborhoods safer for families in Southeast L.A.”
“One issue that unifies people everywhere,” said Mr. Price, “is a deep concern about crime and public safety, especially in the most at-risk neighborhoods in Southeast L.A. It is the only part of the city that experienced an increase in violent crime last year. This is an issue we must tackle immediately.”
Mr. Price’s campaign says his approach to making neighborhoods safer is simple: A fusion of crime prevention, intervention and suppression. “In the New 9th District,” as Mr. Price calls it, “public safety must always be at the top of our agenda.”
