Ninth District Councilman Val Lerch was named the city’s new Vice Mayor in Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the lone candidate nominated.
“I truly love this city, and this is what I’ve wanted to do for two years,” Vice Mayor Lerch said just after his appointment. “It’s been a great home to me, and to represent this city is such an honor.”
Lerch had the opportunity to run for the position two years ago, but decided against it to support Bonnie Lowenthal. This time around, he wasn’t going to let the chance get away. Lerch was nominated by Seventh District Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga, who had previously expressed interest in the position but apparently decided against the idea.
“I didn’t expect it,” Lerch said of Reyes Uranga’s nomination, “But I probably would’ve done it the same way if I was in her position. I’d rather have a unanimous, united Council on something like this. We have differences on every issue but we should at least be united on leadership.”
Lerch takes control of the seat previously held by Bonnie Lowenthal, who faces a November showdown with San Pedro Republican Gabriella Holt for the 54th Assembly Seat. Lowenthal defeated Reyes Uranga in the June Democratic Primary.