Reyes Uranga will run for third term as write-in candidate

There's been much speculation about whether 7th District City Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga would run for a third term as a write-in candidate after her husband, Roberto Uranga, dropped out of the race two weeks ago. Now it's official (almost).

Uranga released a statement today that she will officially announce her re-election bid at a Thursday morning press conference. Uranga has been a staunch union supporter, and the release says that labor and community leaders will be joining her at the press conference. It will be interesting to see who has her back in what could be a very difficult race.

Running as a write-in creates a significant challenge for incumbents, with the only real local success story being then-Mayor Beverly O'Neill's successful write-in campaign in 2002. Long Beach's mayor and council members can only run for a third term as a write-in candidate. Uranga was elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. Also running as a write-in next year is 9th District Councilman Val Lerch.

So far, the other candidates in the 7th District race are Assistant City Auditor James Johnson, who has already raised a sizeable campaign war chest; Jill Hill, co-president of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Association; and Jack Smith, who works as a Hollywood line producer and is a local homeless and housing advocate.

Uranga released the following statement today:

A write-in campaign is a difficult thing, and the decision to run was not made easily. But my heart is and has always been with the residents of the Seventh District. So, after encouragement from numerous community leaders, I decided to follow my heart.

I have never backed down from a challenge, and the next few years will be a real challenge for our city. This past year we passed a very lean budget for our city, and the economy does not look like it's going to get better any time soon. We have lost many of our residents and businesses to the economic downturn because of jobs and foreclosures.  Times have been difficult for working families and difficult times require bold and passionate actions.

Included in Uranga's press release was a statement of support from John Taeleifi, President of the West Long Beach Association:

We need a strong experienced leadership to get us through this critical time. Tonia has always been there for us, and we want to keep her there fighting for the District.