With ballots still being counted on Wednesday, Nov. 13, a few races in Los Angeles County remained undecided, but the tight race for District 3 on the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education was won by incumbent Scott Schmerelson who beat math teacher Dan Chang.
Schmerelson said in a phone interview that Chang called him and conceded the competitive race.
“He mentioned that he wanted to make sure that I did all that I promised to do for the students of Board District 3, and I said I would do everything in my power to protect the students and the parents and the employees,” Schmerelson said.
“I’m disappointed, but I’m proud of the campaign that we ran,” Chang said in a phone interview. He added that he was delighted to return to the classroom after a short break during the election.
“Nothing tells you more that you’re doing the right thing than seeing kids who need you back in the classroom,” he said.
LAUSD school board candidate Dan Chang (Photo by Terence Patrick)
In the latest election results on Wednesday, Nov. 13, Schmerelson led with 51.83% of the vote, while Chang had 48.17%.
The two candidates sought a seat on LAUSD’s seven-member school board to represent District 3 in the West San Fernando Valley, which includes areas such as North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Woodland Hills, and West Hills.
Here’s a list of uncalled races to watch.
State Senate District 35: Laura Richardson maintained a lead over Michelle Chambers, although the margin narrowed again on Wednesday. Richardson had 50.54% while Chambers came in at 49.46% in this Democrat-versus-Democrat race to replace term-limited state Sen. Steven Bradford.
Democrats Laura Richardson and Michelle Chambers are vying to replace termed-out state Sen. Steven Bradford. (Courtesy images)
Richardson, a San Pedro resident, is a housing advocate and small business owner who has previously served on the Long Beach City Council, in the state Assembly, and in the U.S. House of Representatives. Chambers, a Compton resident and community justice advocate, previously served on the Compton City Council and was an aide to former U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn.
Senate District 35 represents residents in South L.A. County, including all or parts of Inglewood, Hawthorne, Compton, Carson and San Pedro.
Los Angeles City Council District 2: Former Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian holds a substantial lead in the race for the 2nd District seat, and he told supporters over the weekend that he is “confident that with the strong backing we’ve secured, we are on the path to victory.”
Heather Hutt, left, and Adrin Nazarian appear poised to declare victory in their respective races for the LA City Council. (Courtesy photos)
Nazarian led business owner and political newcomer Jillian Burgos. As of Nov. 13, Nazarian has 43,643 votes, or 54.04%, while Burgos has 37,115 votes or 45.96%.
Los Angeles City Council District 10: Los Angeles City Councilwoman Heather Hutt led her opponent, attorney Grace Yoo. According to figures released Wednesday by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Hutt has 49,401 votes (63.04%), while Yoo has 29,127 votes (36.96%).
Although ballots are still being counted, Councilmember Hutt, with a strong lead in the 10th District race, stopped just short of formally declaring victory on Wednesday.
“I’m deeply grateful for the overwhelming support from the 10th District,” Hutt said in an email to her supporters.
“Our historic campaign has been humbling and inspiring, as I became the first woman and first Black woman elected to this seat,” she added. “This achievement proves what we can accomplish when working together for our communities’ future.”
The number of ballots remaining to be counted in both city council districts is unknown.
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City News Service contributed to this report.