Local News in Brief : Galanter Backs Yaroslavsky Foe
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter has bucked council tradition by backing Laura Lake over fellow Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky in the 5th District race.
“I owe Laura personally and politically a great debt,” Galanter said of Lake, who played a key role in Galanter’s successful campaign against Councilwoman Pat Russell two years ago. Lake also took Galanter’s mother into her home after Galanter was stabbed by an intruder.
Galanter first endorsed Lake, a fellow environmentalist, in September, when Yaroslavsky was expected to give up his council seat to run for mayor. But Yaroslavsky earlier this month decided not to challenge Mayor Tom Bradley and to run again for his council seat.
It is rare, but not unheard of, for members of the city’s small rather collegial body to endorse a challenger over an incumbent.
Yaroslavsky, who supported Russell two years ago, said of Galanter, “I understand her personal relationship with Laura, and I respect it.”
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