Ridley-Thomas the Elder Beats Deadline by Hours

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

Mark Ridley-Thomas

County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has been a master of timing – curious and otherwise — throughout his top-tier career.

The timing of his most recent public proclamation is fascinating, at least to insiders.

Shhh.

Do not say a word about the long, itchy rivalry he has not discouraged with outgoing Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks, a victim of term limits.

At 12:30 today – Election Day across Los Angeles County — a story moved reporting, with a measure of fanfare, that the County Supervisor just had endorsed newcomer Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who is heavily favored to win Mr. Parks’s 8th Councilmanic District seat – including Culver City and South Los Angeles — before going to bed tonight.

(Mr. Ridley-Thomas held the Council chair in the previous century.)

Had the story moved eight hours later, Mr. Ridley-Thomas could have endorsed any of Mr. Harris-Dawson’s three rivals – and it still would not have stirred a soul.

Why now?

Will MRT’s 13th hour support win one extra ballot for Mr. Harris-Dawson, a Karen Bass protégé, is CEO of the Community Coalition, a civil rights group?

 www.Marqueece.com / facebook.com/mhd2015 / @marq4cd8.