With Alex Padilla's 20th Senate District win yesterday, he will vacate - midterm - the Seventh Council District seat taht he filled - midterm - back in 2000. Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, current 20th District Senator Richard Alarcon, Alex will leave a seat open for a midterm replacement that will have the opportunity, if successful to serve 10 years on the City Council. You see, term limits allow a maximum of two FULL terms as a City Councilmember. Since this would be half of a term (or rather, a little less that 3/4 of a term), the winner - if they want it and are successful - could run two more times for two FULL terms.
So, it will be interesting to see what unfolds next. Will the City Council try to schedule the special election in November to save money since ballots will already be going out for the general statewide election? Will a slew of candidates vie for the empty seat?
According to blog reports this morning, Assemblywoman Cindy Montenez, who is termed out in December and was not successful in winning the 20th District Senate seat yesterday, has already announced she'll run for the LA City Council Seat. She comes from local politics, having served on the San Fernando City Council before heading to Sacramento 6 years ago. Rumors also swirl that Felipe Fuentes, Padilla Chief of Staff and nephew to Hahn-turned-Villariagosa Board of Public Works appointee Yolanda Fuentes, will also be vying for the seat. Others are also out there considering a run - it should be interesting. This new City leader has a huge job to do for one of the sections of the Valley and City that needs the most attention and care.
Even more interesting to note: Alex Padilla is the last member of the L.A. City Council to serve with the "old guard" (seen in the photo above). He was the last remaining councilmember to serve on the City Council with long-time Councilmembers like John Ferraro & Joel Wachs, upwardly-mobile politicos Jackie Goldberg, Mike Feuer, & Laura Chick, and still others no longer publicly as visible (but definitely around) Mike Hernandez, Rudy Svorinich, & Rita Walters. When he leaves the City Council, he carries with him the memories of the way things used to be... or does he?
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