
City Councilman Tom LaBonge’s longtime chief of staff and a health center director will face off in a May 19 runoff to succeed the 4th District representative, according to certified results released today.
Carolyn Ramsay, who took a leave of absence from her city post to campaign to succeed her boss, came in first with 3,719 votes, or 15.25 percent, to David Ryu’s 3,634 votes or 14.9 percent.
Ryu would become the sole Asian American on the City Council if he wins the runoff. There has not been an Asian-American council member since Michael Woo served from 1985 to 1993.
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.
“Now that all the votes have been counted, I am excited to officially continue our fight to put CD4 neighborhoods first at City Hall,” Ryu said.
Ramsay touted her 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.
The winning candidate will represent suburban communities in the San Fernando Valley as well as neighborhoods surrounding Griffith Park, the Miracle Mile, and Hollywood.
The certified results still requires approval by the City Council.
—City News Service
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