Spending two evenings in a row in the pleasant environs of Culver City have failed to improve the chances of Los Angeles City Councilman Bernie Parks in his race to win the retiring Yvonne Brathwaite Burke’s chair on the County Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Parks stopped by the home of the realtor/journalist Mike Cohen on City Council Election Night to support Dr. Luther Henderson in his bid for City Hall.
However, Dr. Henderson ran out of the money, placing sixth in a 9-candidate field.
Last night the disappointment became more acute. Mr. Parks dropped in on the Culver City Democratic Club, and his supporters wished they had instructed him to bring along his thickest topcoat.
In a word, brrr.
Not Even Close
Regarding Mr. Parks’ chances in the June 3 primary against state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Culver City), it was so chilly in the Rotunda Room of the Vets Auditorium, you could have hung meat in there.
The pretty opinionated members of the Democratic Club, for all of their strong feelings, experience few disagreements. Votes seldom are close.
By 39 to 3 — not a surprising choice or margin — the Culver City Dems overwhelmingly chose union-backed Mr. Ridley-Thomas over business-supported Mr. Parks.
There is a widely agreed upon observation that the ardently passionate Mr. Ridley-Thomas is a superior orator to any rival he competes against.
That skill may have been pivotal once again as he, Mr. Parks and several non-threatening challengers made presentations.
The last two days were as upbeat for Mr. Ridley-Thomas as they were hollow for Mr. Parks.
On Tuesday night, the senator won the not insignificant endorsement of the County Democratic Party, which is perceived as unfriendly to Mr. Parks.