Padilla 1st to Qualify for City Council Race

Three candidates have qualified for the ballot in the race for the 7th District seat on the Los Angeles City Council.

Alex Padilla, a 25-year-old legislative aide, was the first to qualify, turning in a nominating petition Friday with 1,000 signatures, twice the number needed for candidacy.

Later Friday, youth services director Tony Lopez and Mission College administrator Barbara Perkins also qualified for the ballot.

“The response we’re getting is very positive,” Padilla said. “We had no problem getting 1,000 signatures.”

Only four of 10 declared candidates have filed nominating petitions. The deadline for filing is Monday.

Padilla is on a leave of absence from his job as an aide to Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar).

He also recently resigned his position as a member of the Los Angeles Building and Safety Commission.

Mayor Richard Riordan has decided to appoint Corina Alarcon, the wife of former 7th District Councilman Richard Alarcon, to the building panel seat vacated by Padilla. The council must confirm the appointment.

The Alarcons have endorsed Corinne Sanchez in the 7th District City Council race.

Sanchez said Friday she plans to open her campaign office on Laurel Canyon Boulevard today with a news conference at which Councilman Mike Feuer is expected to announce his endorsement.