Yesterday, Second District City Council Candidate Joen Garnica announced the endorsement of former U.S. Rep. Steve Kuykendall, a resident of the Second District and also a former assemblymember.
“Working for the residents of California was a great honor and privilege. It was also a big responsibility,” said Kuykendall. “Joen has the life experiences to shoulder that responsibility and the proven community commitment to make decisions that will ensure a bright future for the 2nd District and Long Beach. She has my full support.”
Garnica’s endorsement comes after numerous endorsements for all three second district city council candidates, including Jeannine Pearce and Eric Gray.
In the last month, Gray announced endorsements from Assemblymember (and former councilmember) Patrick O’Donnell, former Long Beach mayors Val Lerch and Bob Foster, as well as the Long Beach Police Officers Association. He’s garnered a few labor endorsements as well, notably the Heat and Frost Insulators Union, Local 5, and United Association Local 250.
“Eric Gray has a thorough understanding of the public safety issues facing Long Beach and the solutions we need to keep residents safe,” said Long Beach Police Officers Association President Steve James in a January statement. “Not only is his commitment to public safety a priority, he has been a thought leader on the issues of economic development, quality of life improvements, and more. Long Beach Police Officers are confident that he has the vision and the ability to keep Long Beach moving forward.”
Meanwhile, candidate Jeannine Pearce announced endorsements from Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, West Hollywood Mayor Lindsay Horvath, Suja Lowenthal, councilmembers Rex Richardson and Roberto Uranga, the California Nurses Association and numerous labor organizations, including multiple chapters of the International Brotherhood of Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Teamsters.
“I am proud to endorse Jeannine Pearce for Long Beach City Council,” said Kuehl. “Jeannine has the vision and values to fight for the best for the residents of Long Beach and the experience to make it happen. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside her to build the LGBTQ – Labor Alliance in Long Beach as a means to create a stronger, more compassionate network and increase the capacity of vital organizations such as the Long Beach Center.”
For the complete list of each candidates’ endorsements, visit their websites:
All three contenders will attend the March 2 citywide candidates forum, sponsored by Leadership Long Beach, taking place at 5:00PM at the Long Beach Main Public Library Auditorium, 101 Pacific Avenue.