1st District City Council candidate Robert Garcia keeps racking up the endorsements, and the candidate filing period doesn't even open for almost two more weeks.
Today he announced that state Sen. Jenny Oropeza of the 28th District is endorsing him. That adds to Garcia's growing list of prominent endorsements, such as state Sen. Alan Lowenthal, Assemblyman Warren Furutani, Long Beach council members Val Lerch and Suja Lowenthal, and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn.
Other names on his endorsement list include both well-established political and business leaders and young up-and-comers. Among Garcia's endorsements are lobbyist Carl Kemp; Craig Watson of Charter Communications; John Morris of Smooth's Sports Grille; John Molina of Molina Healthcare; former councilman Frank Colonna; and Kraig Kojian of Downtown Long Beach Associates. Garcia informed me tonight that Kojian was mistakenly listed among the endorsements on his Web site.
Elections aren't all about endorsements, but they certainly help. Often, elections are largely about money, and the more prominent endorsements candidates have can equate to the amount of contributions they raise.
That said, the other five candidates in the race have some catching up to do, but one never knows what kind of grassroots candidate might pull ahead. Meanwhile, Evan Anderson Braude, a former council member who is now running for the 1st District seat again, has enough political experience and community connections not to be taken lightly by Garcia or anyone else.
And we still have a long way to go until the April 7 election.
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-
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