Vincent Easily Overcomes Challengers

Inglewood Mayor Edward Vincent steamrollered his four challengers Tuesday to win 61.6% of the vote and a third term in office.

Vincent, 56, a county probation officer, had conducted a low-key campaign, relying on mailers praising the city’s progress and generally avoiding appearances with his rivals.

He said a third term will allow him to draw more business into the city’s downtown, aggressively attack gangs and drugs, and work with school officials to improve the school system.

Councilman Anthony Scardenzan was the second-place finisher with 21% of the vote, while former Councilman Virgle Benson garnered 12.5%. Long-shot candidate John Murphy trailed with 2.2%, and Carl McGill, who pulled out of the race to support Benson, won 2.7%.

Scardenzan said he simply misread the strong support that still exists in the community for Vincent, saying: “I thought the community wanted someone else. Apparently I got the wrong message.”

Benson gave Vincent less credit. He said the incumbent’s hefty campaign war chest of more than $80,000--more than double that of his four challengers combined--allowed him to polish his record with slick campaign brochures.

“Voters are just lazy,” Benson said. “They don’t take the time to look at issues. They don’t take the time to look at candidates.”