[img]1741|left|Ms. Jan Perry||no_popup[/img]Having cast her mayoralty vote earlier and quietly for Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry this afternoon made Curren Price and his dicey race in the stormy 9th District her second most important endorsement, leading up to the May 21 runoff.
The termed-out Ms. Perry has represented the hard-to-call 9th since the turn of the century. Last month she captured 55.8 percent of the district’s vote when she finished a distant fourth in the mayoralty primary. Mr. Garcetti was a remote second with merely 18.9 percent of the vote, and Wendy Greuel was the choice of 15.6 percent.
What does that say about Ms. Perry’s influence, her sway-ability among 9th’ers?
This verdict could be pivotal, or it could mean much less.
Her official blessing will only speed up Mr. Price’s front-running momentum.
A clear plus for Mr. Price, the weight of Ms. Perry’s nod is murky because the cultural scales in the 9th are lopsided.
[img]1776|right|Senator Curren Price||no_popup[/img]Here is the tripping point:
Even though Ms. Perry’s commitment pitches another log onto Mr. Price’s already roaring fire, the cultural feuding frowningly bandied about between the Hispanic-oriented backers rookie contender Ana Cubas and the black-oriented supporters of Mr. Price makes certainty elusive.
The 9th, formerly was dominantly black. Now it is 80 percent Hispanic – but blacks still are the main voters.
Identity of the cultural culprits remains clouded. But there is no doubt cultural badges are the most crucial accessory in this race.
This is a post-war period in the 9th. Last year’s redistricting fiasco, led by Council President Herb Wesson, sawed off some of the district’s most desirable neighborhoods. By coincidence, someone said with a wink, they blew over into Mr. Wesson’s district, saddling the next 9th Councilperson with a sticky burden.
Ever since scoring a narrow victory on March 5 in the primary, Mr. Price, the state senator who represents Culver City, has won or retained the heaviest fundraising hitters for his side.
He won all of labor’s muscular artillery for the primary race. His reward was leading all the way on Election Night. But the slender margin could have sparked an updated Thin Man series. It did not allow him to publicly exhale. He is not openly confident enough to send out his laundry for the runoff.
Ms. Perry chose Mr. Price “after much thought and consideration,” she said, adding:
“I don’t take endorsements lightly. This is a very special community, one I have proudly represented for 12 years. For this reason, I took my time. I talked to people in the 9th District to ensure that their best interests are met in the future.
“Curren has pledged to right the disparity that has resulted from redistricting. He will work to restore the revenue connection between the southern portion of the district and Downtown. This connection will ensure the economic future of our neighborhoods. It is an important promise that will help support the people of the 9th District today and in the future.
“Curren has a strong track record for supporting business development in our state and the region. He understands what it takes to continue economic investment to South Los Angeles that brings jobs and greater opportunities to the people who need them the most.”
