Born to Run - Born to Chase Everyone Out of the Race

If you like politics the way I do, you were probably (unsurprisingly) shocked to hear the mysterious news that both Felipe Fuentes and Cindy Montanez were dropping their bids to replace Alex Padilla on the LA City Council. Given the most recent machinations in San Fernando politics, it seemed unlikely that three heavyweights would actually end up running against each other. As expected, it appears someone came in and "banged heads" to maintain peace in the Valley.

What was most interesting about the potential race was the early attention it recieved. While most folks were not enthused about the other seats that were up, many were interested in the race to replace Padilla. I hope everyone had a chance to read the L.A Times' comical poke at Richard for announcing his plan to regain his City Council seat, after leaving the Senate in order to run for Assembly, only to return to the City Council, (because his bid for Mayor last year did not go so well?). I found the piece more a poke at term limits in California, than about Richard personally.

The theater started early in this race -- very early. Within days of announcing her bid Cindy was first to fire away at her old mentor with some opening salvos in the L.A Weekly. You could tell Cindy was not too happy about Alarcon challening her for this seat. She must have thought she would walk into the seat. Keep in mind that she announced she was running for it on the very same night she was defeated in her bid for State Senate and before she even lived in the district. But it was clear that Cindy did not take well to her old boss' announcement. Maybe it was this quote that kinda gave her away:

“We have a responsibility to serve at least a term when we get elected,” she added. “I don’t know what his motivation is, aside from the obvious, which is that it’s a higher salary with a pension.”

Ouch! A few folks had mentioned to me that Alarcon was interested in the higher salary and the nicer pension paid to those on the dais at 1st and Main, but you could tell that Cindy wasn't holding back. What a mess!

To complicate the matter even further, I should note that the term limit extensions known as 'Measure R' have been brought to court and stand some chance of being overturned by a judge. Should the term limit supporters prevail and the judge overturn the voter approved initiative, Alarcon's stay in City Council could be short. He has already served in the body before, and would only be eligible for about a year of service - I think. Now that would really complicate this further, right?

This race was the one hope political junkies had of having something to talk about this March. Now the cocktail parties and late night bar gatherings will be filled with the chattering pundits rapping on Alvin Parra's effort to take out Jose Huizar by using his old bosses' calendar and rolodex against him. Ouch! Only time will tell if Alvin has a story to tell about Councilman Jose going to the American Express Luncheon in Beverly Hills rather than stopping by the Center for Deformed Children's Annual Christmas Toy Giveway over in his district somewhere. That will hurt.

But, for now, junkies like you and I will have to wait for a Battle Royale between the popular and seasoned Alarcon, the smart and passionate former Assemblymember Montanez, and the intelligent, connected Felipe Fuentes. We'll return to the peace and calm of the San Fernando Valley, where bedroom communinities can enjoy the political quiet for a while. And where Richard Alarcon will become the next City Councilman from District 7, and the talented Felipe Fuentes will be crowned with the 39th Assembly seat, and where Montanez will find a soft landing somewhere deep in the Mayor's governing apparatus. Ahh! I guess this is why it's called 'politricks.'

Don't you feel like someone must have pulled this together and cut a deal to prevent this political junkie's wet dream. My guess: Mr. Mayor.