6:30am | The westside’s city council district last night awarded Long Beach Assistant City Auditor James Johnson’s year-long effort to seek his first elected office and at the same time ended incumbent Tonia Reyes Uranga’s attempt at a semi-historic third term. Johnson earned 52.9% (3,408 votes) and Reyes Uranga earned 47.1% (3,034 votes).
The lbpost.com covered last night’s 7th District election live with up-to-the-minute reaction from both the Johnson and Reyes Uranga campaigns.
Despite the cheers of supporters as he took the stage, Johnson cautioned “this will not be decided tonight.” He pointed out that there are 400 provisional ballots that will not be counted tonight and 300 absentee ballots that are being carried in and not likely to be counted tonight either. However, in order for Reyes Uranga to win she would need to have secured a vast majority of the remaining ballots – which seems unlikely.
Johnson Reaction
Mayor Bob Foster introduced Johnson last night before a sizable crowd calling Johnson “a friend” and welcomed him to the City Council.
City Auditor Laura Doud talked about why she supported Johnson:”The first thing I recognized in James was his tremendous intellect…and his ability to see the big picture.” Doud also praised Johnson’s “inate understanding of budget and finance issues.”
3rd District Councilmember Gary DeLong said this regarding James Johnson: “Change we can believe in.” And, Vice Mayor and 9th District Councilmember Val Lerch at the Johnson campaign on early numbers showing Johnson leading: “I’m elated. I hope that a victoy here will bring some kind of balance to the city council.”
Reyes Uranga Reaction
With all 40 princincts reporting, Reyes Uranga’s campaign office clapped for the councilwomans efforts to get reelected in the face of an uphill write-in campaign. “This is still a historical night and God bless you,” said one campaign worker. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us,” said another worker.
Uranga’ husband Roberto stated: “This is not a setback,” and added “the Urangas are still here. Tonia, she might have lost today but she’s going to win tomorrow.”
What It All Means
During the April 2010 election, Johnson won 45.0% of the vote while Reyes Uranga earned 30.7% as a write-in candidate, forcing yesterday’s run-off election because neither candidate could capture a majority of the vote. Johnson maintained a sizable vote-by-mail lead over Reyes Uranga throughout early returns.
The loss of Reyes Uranga leaves Councilmember Robert Garcia as the sole Latino on the Long Beach City Council and with James Johnson’s win makes him one of the youngest Councilmembers in history – along with Councilmember Garcia – both are in their early 30s.
Paul Eakins in this morning’s Press-Telegram coverage notes: Johnson is more of a moderate whose campaign message has been to get Long Beach’s finances under control. However, he did have one key labor endorsement, from the Port of Long Beach’s longshoremen union.
That political balance will play an important role as the council enters another tough budget year that will require reopening city employee contracts to help eliminate an expected $18.5 million budget deficit. The council also is beginning talks to reform the unions’ costly pensions.
Johnson gained the endorsement of Long Beach elected officials such as Mayor Bob Foster and outgoing 9th District Councilmember Val Lerch. Johnson’s current boss, Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud, supported Johnson since the beginning of his campaign. He ran on a platform of financial responsibility – and, with an economics degree from Harvard, expertise – and long term sustainability. He was raised in the 7th District before setting off for college. A political newcomer, Johnson cast himself as a fresh face in a climate of economic uncertainty and touted the highly-regarded work that has been done during his time with the City Auditor’s office.
Click here to view the Long Beach City Clerk election results web site.
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