By Kenneth D. Miller

Assistant Managing Editor

 

 

 

Incumbent Council President Herb Wesson Jr.  demonstrated his own staying power in the Los Angeles City Council 10th District and his political influence propelled other candidates and Charter Amendments 1 & 2 in the general city-wide election on Tuesday March 3.

 

 

 

Although the final tally still has yet to be certified  the veteran and dynamic public servant was sailing to victory over his closest rival Grace Yoo with more than 60 percent of the vote, avoiding a potential runoff and sending a clear and loud message that Wesson and his political machine are a force to be reckoned with.

 

 

 

As he arrived at his campaign celebration at Mavericks Flat on Crenshaw Blvd. where he was greeted by former City Councilman Nate Holden among others, Wesson felt confident in the election outcome where he backed candidates in other races and championed the Amendments that would increase voter participation and hold politicians accountable by joining municipal elections with federal elections.

 

 

 

The two Amendments strongly supported by Wesson soared to victory with Yes votes to the tune of an overwhelming 77.14 percent.

 

 

 

Wesson also supported Jose Huizar in Council District 14 who turned back former County Supervisor Gloria Molina with 64 percent to 24 percent.  Many saw Molina if elected to the city council as a threat to Wesson’s Council Presidency, but Councilmember Jose Huizar who was strongly supported by the Council President proved to be too much for the Molina campaign.

 

 

 

Additionally, it was Wesson’s support of 8th District Council candidate Marqueece Harris-Dawson along with long time ally Congresswoman Karen Bass that led Harris-Dawson to a run away victory with more than 54 percent of the vote against three rivals.

 

 

 

“Every election is tough and that’s why we never take them lightly and I feel pretty good and I feel good for Marqueece and the Charter Amendments 1 & 2 are doing unbelievably well. This is the making of a very good night,” Wesson told the Sentinel.

 

 

 

Wesson explained that the election showed the importance of diversity and building coalitions.

 

 

 

“The sooner we can do that we will be even better,” he said.

 

 

 

Wesson, Jr. was unanimously elected president of the Los Angeles City Council on November 23, 2011 and officially took office January 2, 2012. He was elected to represent the 10th Council District of the city of Los Angeles in a special election in November 2005. The voters of the 10th Council District recognized Wesson’s long service to the community by giving him their overwhelming support – 80 percent of their votes. He was re-elected in 2007, and 2011 by wide margins.

 

 

 

 

 

In the City Council, he chairs the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

 

He also serves as a member of the Housing, Community and Economic Development (HCED) Committee – with jurisdiction over the city’s economic development, housing, workforce investment and community development policies – providing him with a platform to shape the economic development not just for the 10th Council District but for the city of Los Angeles as a whole. As a member of the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority, he helps oversee the construction of the light rail line.

 

 

 

Throughout his 20-year career in government, Wesson is well known for his ability to bring people together. He began his career as chief of staff to former 10th District Councilmember Holden and later as chief of staff to 2nd District Supervisor Yvonne Burke.

 

 

 

In 1998 he was elected to represent the 47th State Assembly District – a position he held until term limits forced him to step down in 2004. While serving in the Assembly, his peers accorded him the greatest honor by unanimously electing him the 65th Speaker of the California State Assembly – one of the three most powerful positions in state government. He was only the second African American to be elected Speaker of the California State Assembly. As speaker,  Wesson fought to protect society’s most vulnerable and to pass groundbreaking legislation on the environment, education and healthcare.

Category: Cover Stories