LOS ANGELES : Molina Endorses Rivera in School Board Race

Despite previously vowing to stay out of the race, Supervisor Gloria Molina on Wednesday endorsed Lucia Rivera for the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education.

In backing Rivera in the 5th District race, Molina formed a rare political alliance with City Councilman Richard Alatorre, who was among the first to endorse the Eagle Rock High School parent volunteer.

The longtime political foes were brought together by a common concern that the 5th District, which is 68% Latino, be represented by a Latino candidate. The seat is currently held by Leticia Quezada, who is stepping down after eight years on the board.

“If we have the opportunity to select a Latino or Latina on the school board, we need to,” Molina said Wednesday. “If there’s anywhere we’re in the majority, it’s in the schools,” which are 87% Latino in that district.

Of the eight candidates running, the other front-runner is David Tokofsky, a Marshall High School social sciences teacher, who is bilingual but white. He has the backing of the powerful teachers union.