The Elections : How the Valley Voted on Bradley

Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley won reelection, but no thanks to the San Fernando Valley.

Bradley beat each of his challengers but captured only 40% of the vote in the four City Council districts located entirely within the Valley, according to a Times analysis of the results in Tuesday’s election.

Citywide, Bradley received 52% of the vote in winning reelection to an unprecedented fifth term.

Councilman Nate Holden finished second in the Valley with 32% of the vote, followed by former County Supervisor Baxter Ward with 19%. The remainder was split among seven other candidates.

Bradley’s poorest showing in the city came in the conservative northwest Valley’s 12th District, represented by Councilman Hal Bernson. Bradley received 39% of the vote, followed by Holden with 34% and Ward with 19%.

In his best showing in the Valley, Bradley received 45% of the vote in the northeast Valley’s 7th District represented by Councilman Ernani Bernardi.

In contrast, Bradley received about 70% of the vote in South Los Angeles.

The Valley, which as a whole is more conservative than the rest of the city, has always been tough turf for the liberal mayor. In seven campaigns, including ill-fated runs for governor in 1982 and 1986, Bradley collected a majority of the vote only twice--both times against weak opponents, former Mayor Sam Yorty in 1981 and Councilman John Ferraro in 1986.