Carolyn Ramsay, David Ryu advance to May runoff in 4th District

Termed-out City Councilman Tom LaBonge’s former chief of staff topped a field of 14 candidates in a bid to replace him and she will advance to a May runoff election, but it’s unclear who she will be facing.

Carolyn Ramsay led the pack of hopefuls in the Fourth District, and unofficial results released by the City Clerk’s Office showed David Ryu — a director at the Kedren Acute Psychiatric Hospital and Community Health Center — placing second and appearing to earn a spot in the May 19 runoff. But nonprofit director Tomas O’Grady was just 61 votes behind.

It was not immediately known how many provisional or questioned ballots remain to be tallied, and whether they might change the outcome of the race.

Ryu was the sole Asian-American in the 4th District race and would become the only one on the City Council if he is ultimately elected. There has not been an Asian-American council member since Michael Woo served on the City Council from 1985 to 1993.

The candidates are seeking to represent a district that includes suburban communities in the San Fernando Valley as well as neighborhoods surrounding Griffith Park, Miracle Mile and Hollywood.

Ryu campaigned on a platform of improving communication between the city and residents and says he supports raising the minimum wage and gradually eliminating the gross receipts tax. He also wants to improve communication between the city and residents.

Ramsay is looking to succeed her former boss. She touts 15 years of experience working on issues affecting the district, initially as a journalist and environmental activist, then as a member of LaBonge’s staff for about nine years.

O’Grady is the director of the nonprofit EnrichLA, which works with schools to build edible gardens. His priorities include environmental and financial sustainability. He also wants to focus on the issues of development and transportation.

—City News Service