From a Culver City perspective, Sydney Kamlager’s lopsided victory in her first try for a seat on the Los Angeles Community College District’s Board of Trustees may have been the most pleasing news on quietly formful election day.
Young, tall and outing, Ms. Kamlager became known in this community as communications specialist for state Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City/Crenshaw District) when she was in the state Assembly.
Ms. Kamlager scored 41 percent of the vote to defeat Glenn Bailey, far back at 23 percent.
Scott Svonkin, J. Burrell Garcia and Francesca Vega prevailed in the remaining races.
The heatedly debated Charter Amendments 1 and 2, moving Los Angeles elects from odd- to even-numbered years to coincide with federal elections were overwhelmingly approved.
While all four Los Angeles City Council incumbents – Herb Wesson, Paul Krekorian, Jose Huizar and Nury Martinez – fairly breezed, they will be joined by two newcomers.
One is ambitious, impressive and well-connected Marqueece Harris-Dawson who will succeed term-limited Bernard Parks in the 8th Council District, which includes Culver City and the Crenshaw District.
Mr. Harris-Dawson, a community organizer who led the world in endorsements if not quite in fundraising ran away from his opposition with 61 percent, 5891 votes to 1439 for runnerup Robert Cole and 1223 for Forescee Hogan-Rowles.
For the Silver Lake district seat formerly held by Tom LaBonge, Carolyn Ramsay, a LaBonge aide, will meet David Ryu, former staffer for retired Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke in a May 19 runoff.
Final portrait for the LAUSD School Board is parked in limbo with three incumbents – Bennett Kayser, Richard Vladovic and Tamar Galatzan all forced into runoffs. Needing 50 percent-plus-one, Ms. Galatzan was ahead of Scott Mark Schmerelson 39 percent to 20 percent. Mr. Vladovic finished in front of Lydia Gutierrez, 43 percent to 38.
Mr. Kayser, not shockingly, ran second to Ref Rodriguez, 39 percent to 36 percent.
Freshman School Board incumbent George McKenna ran unopposed for a full term after winning a special election last August.