3:30 | A police officer with no political experience and a seasoned political veteran who represents parts of Long Beach in the state Assembly will vie for the Los Angeles City Council 15th District office previously held by current Congresswoman Janice Hahn.
Los Angeles Police Officer Joe Buscaino and state Assemblyman Warren Furutani will face off on January 17th, since none of the 11 candidates reached 50% of the vote in yesterday’s special election. The district represents Harbor Gateway, San Pedro, Wilmington, and Watts.
Both held the largest spending amounts for their campaigns, launched in a packed race back in July. Furutani held the top spot, bolstered with endorsements by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and multiple unions, as well as a previous board position on the L.A. School Board; his total came to $313,927. Buscaino trailed at $264,380, with an effort supported by the Los Angeles Police Protective League and grass-roots efforts.
With voters continuously expressing dismay for “mud-slinging,” pejorative campaigns, Furutani asked his fellow candidate to join him on a positive, issue-oriented run-off election.
“Both Joe and I ran positive campaigns in the primary. I think the voters appreciated that, and that’s one of the reasons we were successful on Tuesday,” said Furutani. “Today I ask Joe to join me in agreeing to a positive campaign for the run-off, an election where we will both focus solely on our qualifications and proposals for a better community.”