Torrance Councilman to Seek Third Term, Not Mayor’s Post

Torrance City Councilman Bill Applegate last week ended speculation that he would run for mayor next year by announcing that he will instead seek a third term on the council.

That leaves three-term Councilwoman Katy Geissert as the only announced mayoral candidate for the March 4 election.

Mayor Jim Armstrong is prohibited by the City Charter from seeking a third term. Councilman Mark Wirth’s seat, along with those of Applegate and Geissert, will also be up for election. Wirth has announced that he will seek a second term.

Candidate filing opens Dec. 5 and closes Dec. 26.

City Hall watchers had long expected Applegate, who is generally supported by business, and Geissert, who has strong support from homeowner groups, to battle it out.

Some observers said Applegate decided not to run because he realized he could not beat Geissert.

But Applegate said he decided not to run for mayor because the additional time needed for the office would cut into his other civic and family activities.

“It takes more time being mayor than a councilman,” said Applegate, 42, who owns an industrial and commercial real estate company. “The mayor has to attend a lot of functions, prepare to run the meetings and sign numerous documents. You’re talking about 30 or 35 hours a week as mayor rather than 20 hours a week as a councilman.”

Applegate said he did not want to lessen his involvement with the Torrance South Bay YMCA, Rotary and his son’s soccer games. “I would rather watch my kid play soccer than do most anything else.”

Applegate said he has not ruled out endorsing Geissert, 58, who has the support of Armstrong and the other council members.