“This was a bittersweet victory,” Krekorian said in a statement. “Yesterday, our coalition of neighborhood leaders from throughout [Council District 2] defeated the moneyed special interests and sent a message to Los Angeles that elections cannot be bought and sold by powerful insiders.”
Campaign spending from outside groups on behalf of Essel or in opposition to Krekorian totaled more than $910,000, compared with about $64,551 for Krekorian.
Although the vast majority of funds were used to support Essel, the $974,551 in independent expenditures for the two candidates shattered Los Angeles records for the most spent on campaigning by third-party organizations in a City Council election, according to the commission. The next highest total was $685,138 for a 2003 election.
Officials in Glendale and Burbank have been ambivalent about Krekorian’s intention to switch from the Assembly to L.A. City Hall.
They have regretted the prospect of losing a productive ally in Sacramento, but were hopeful that he would retain his relationship with the cities and foster closer cooperation with L.A. on joint projects, of which there are many.
The assemblyman’s move to L.A. has sparked excitement on the part of Jane Barnett, a former candidate for his seat and the chairwoman of the Los Angeles County Republican Party.
Although the Republican party can not yet technically endorse, it anticipates former Burbank Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sundar Ramani to be its lone candidate in the race, Barnett said.
Democrat Mike Gatto, former district director for Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), has also entered the race.
At least four Democrats are expected to compete for the seat, said Eric Bauman, chairman of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
