The 2nd District's second round

While Barack Obama was making history by claiming the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday night, Mark Ridley-Thomas was creating some historical ripples of his own in the 2nd District race to replace retiring Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke. In a surprise showing, the state senator outpolled the favored Bernard C. Parks, 45% to 40%, in Tuesday's primary and, in so doing, dealt at least a temporary setback to Los Angeles' traditional African American leadership. But 45% wasn't quite enough, and now the two are headed for a November runoff, where the dynamics of the presidential race ensure that anything can happen.

By Raphael J. Sonenshein

June 8, 2008