L.A. Votes: Final voter turnout, new challenges for city leaders

The final vote tally from the primary election is in, and the percentage of Los Angeles residents who cast ballots ticked up slightly to 20.8%. The final count, still low compared with recent contested mayoral primaries, did not change the results in any of the city contests on the February ballot.

Tuesday provided a fresh reminder of the challenges that the next mayor will face. The City Council agreed to study a controversial set of budget-slashing proposals, including eliminating the shortened workweek for police officers and getting rid of proposed worker raises.

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Mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel, who just picked up the endorsement of President Clinton, went on the attack, slashing at rival Eric Garcetti’s job-creation claims. The Garcetti campaign said Greuel’s accusations were baseless. Greuel also touted her work in the aftermath of the Northridge earthquake and headlined a fundraiser in San Pedro with U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn (D-San Pedro). Garcetti picked up the backing of the Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee.

In other city races, Richard Riordanendorsed Ron Galperin for city controller, Councilman-elect Mike Bonin backed Mike Feuer for city attorney, and council candidate Curren Price backed away from some racially charged remarks he made about rival Ana Cubas.

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