Jim McDonnell conceded defeat in his re-election bid as L.A. County Sheriff

JimMcDonnell

Last night’s election was ultimately unsurprising when it comes to how the results affect Long Beach, with Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell and 4th District Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell easily cruising into their higher offices.

McDonnell was expected to win his bid against Undersheriff and Gardena Mayor Paul Tanka for Los Angeles County Sheriff. Back in the June 4 primary election, McDonnell advanced to last night’s election alongside opponent Tanaka. Despite a vast lead in the primary race—McDonnell received 48.9% of the vote, or 241,319—he was just shy of garnering the 50%-plus-one vote needed to win the seat outright. This was most likely due to a crowded candidate field, where seven candidates faced one another in the primary. Tanaka, placing second on June 4, received 14.8% of the vote, or 73,209 votes.

This round, McDonnell annihilated his opponent, garnering just shy of 75% of the vote (or 703,662 votes).

“Long Beach has had a fantastic five years with Jim McDonnell,” said City Manager Pat West.  “I consider him not only our top cop, but America’s top cop.  I personally have had over 20 years experience working with the Sheriff’s Department and know he will be a fantastic Sheriff for Los Angeles County, serving with unwavering integrity and professionalism.”

Meanwhile, O’Donnell also sailed toward an easy win over Republican opponent John Goya, garnering around 63% of the vote. With O’Donnell’s victory, a special election will be held to fill the vacancy he nows leaves in the Long Beach City Council 4th District seat. This will most likely stir the ire of locals, given the high cost of special elections. O’Donnell ran as a write-in candidate in 2012, winning over the grassroots candidate Daryl Supernaw in a run-off. When asked if he would be seeking any higher office, O’Donnell denied.

Other notable wins of the evening pertaining to Long Beach include John Allen’s win in his bid for the Division 3 seat on the Water Replenishment District, beating former 5th District Councilmember and mayoral candidate Gerrie Schipske; Congressmembers Alan Lowenthal (D-47th) and Janice Hahn (D-44th) both held their seats; Democrat Jose Solorio lost his 34th State Senate seat to Republican Janet Nguyen; and Carson City Councilman Mike Gipson (D) beat opponent Prophet Walker (D) for the 64th State Assembly seat.

Measure P, an effort to ensure continued funding to maintain the safety of parks and recreation areas by way of an annual $23/parcel special tax though a county-instituted levy, also passed with 62% of the county’s vote.

Of the state measures, Measure 1, authorizing a $7.12B bond to improve water supply infrastructure; Measure 2, a state budget reserve rules overhaul; and Measure 47, which seeks to lower some felony drug charges to misdemeanors, all passed. Meanwhile, the healthcare insurance-focused Measure 45 and Measure 46, requiring doctors to be drug tested, both failed at the polls.