Hernandez in City Council Race : Aug. 13 special election features two promising young candidates

It’s a rare and pleasant occasion when we are able to assure voters that they cannot emerge the losers in a given political contest.

But that is precisely the case in an upcoming special election for a vacant seat on the Los Angeles City Council. There are two candidates in the running, and both are energetic and impressive.

The election takes place on Aug. 13, and the purpose is to fill the 1st District seat once held by Gloria Molina, the political maverick who went on to even greater prominence as a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Two community activists are pitted against one another in the 1st District race, and so far the campaign has been conducted with refreshing intelligence and civility. Both candidates speak well of each other, as they should.

Sharon Mee Yung Lowe--an attorney--has considerable support from incumbent City Councilman Michael Woo and Asian-American groups, and it’s easy to see why. She’s articulate, incisive and committed. Her opponent is businessman Mike Hernandez, who has the backing of Molina, City Council member Richard Alatorre and other prominent Latinos. But because of the high caliber of these candidates, the race is not simply a Latino-versus-Asian contest. Lowe has the support of some Latinos and Hernandez has Asian-Americans in his camp.

It’s a close call, but the Times endorses Hernandez, who grew up in the inner-city district and has been active there for many years with a variety of civic groups. Hernandez gives every indication of adding vigor and independence to the council’s deliberations, just as Molina did when she was elected. Lowe, who moved into the district a few years ago, is a promising young political figure who will certainly be heard from again.