Evan Braude, who served on the City Council from 1986 to 1994, is "considering" running for his old 1st District seat if the current council member Bonnie Lowenthal is elected to the state Assembly next week.
That makes Braude, who is in a 20-year relationship and lives with Lowenthal, the fourth known potential candidate for the position.
"I've talked to people about it, but I haven't made any decision yet," Braude said. "I won't make a final decision until after the (November) election."
Because term limits restricting council members to two terms weren't approved until 1992 during Braude's second term, he can serve out the remainder of Lowenthal's term and still serve another full term as well, according to Chief Assistant City Attorney Heather Mahood.
If Lowenthal wins the Assembly seat Tuesday -- she's the favorite in the race -- and if Braude and the other men who have expressed an interest in the council seat go ahead with their campaigns, that will create an odd dynamic in the race.
While Braude is in a relationship and lives with Lowenthal, another person who has expressed an interest in running has connections to her son.
That possible candidate is Robert Garcia, the recently promoted dean of students at Long Beach City College and president of the North Pine Neighborhood Alliance. He sits on the board of the Long Beach non-profit group Children Today, and is friends, with Josh Lowenthal, Bonnie Lowenthal's younger son.
Endorsements from any members of the politically powerful Lowenthal family -- from Bonnie Lowenthal as the previous 1st District council member (assuming she goes to Assembly); from her ex-husband, state Sen. Alan Lowenthal; or from Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal, who is married to Bonnie's older son -- likely would be highly prized in a 1st District race.
The other unofficially announced candidates in the still unofficial race are council gadfly Harvey Cochran, a movie theater employee, and Bill Grisolia, a Long Beach homeless advocate, former restaurant owner and musician.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
When are Long Beach residents going to wake up and realize their town is sinking in a nepotistic sewage pit of Lowenthals? Wake up Long Beach to the causes of the devastation on Pine Avenue, debacle of the Queen Mary, Convention Center, Art Museum, and Aquarium. It's the legacy of the Lowenthals. Who would ever move to Long Beach with its 8.9% unemployment rate; invest in real estate amongst the over densely built "affordable" housing; open a business in the decimated downtown business area, and on and on and on? Again, legacies of the Lowenthals. Voting for a Lowenthal in any election or a Lowenthal "partner" would be the kiss of death of what remains of Long Beach. If you still think that the Lowenthal's have your best interest in hand, read what Sen. Alan Lowenthal said yesterday as reported by the Sac Bee when asked if he would change his travel plans if the Governor called a special legislative session...
"The public already has no faith in us. It's not going to change anybody's mind."
-- Sen. Alan Lowenthal, a Long Beach Democrat, on whether state lawmakers should travel abroad after the election, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to call a special session.