San Fernando : Latino Organization Endorses Cardenas
The San Fernando Valley Mexican American Political Assn. has endorsed political novice Tony Cardenas in the race to succeed outgoing Assemblyman Richard Katz in the 39th District.
MAPA announced its endorsement at a general membership meeting held last week. The 39th Assembly District, a jurisdiction with strong Latino and Democratic roots, runs from Sylmar south to Sun Valley and includes Pacoima, Lake View Terrace and the city of San Fernando.
Katz is being forced by term limits to abandon his seat. Cardenas, a 32-year-old Democrat, is an engineer by training and owner of a real estate firm.
“It is widely believed among San Fernando Valley MAPA members that Mr. Cardenas would vie for Latino interests just as he would for the interests of all residents of the district,” wrote Gabriel Buelna, secretary of the local MAPA chapter, in a recent statement about the endorsement.
MAPA, one of the oldest Latino political organizations in the state, in the past has endorsed Los Angeles City Council members Richard Alarcon and Mike Hernandez, and in 1993 endorsed former City Councilman Michael Woo in his failed mayoral campaign.
Cardenas has already received endorsements from Alarcon and the state Democratic Party.
Other candidates running for the Katz seat include former legislative aides Jim Dantona and Michael Del Rio, Latino activist Jose Galvan and attorney Valerie Salkin.
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