Griego Wins Backing of Parra in Council Race

City Council candidate Victor Griego, who this week won the key backing of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, on Friday collected several more endorsements from opponents in last month’s primary.

Alvin Parra, the primary’s third-place finisher, threw his support to Griego after interviewing him and Nick Pacheco, who placed first. The runoff election in June will decide who replaces veteran Eastside council member Richard Alatorre, who is retiring.

“Victor had a better understanding of what his role would be as a council member and a little more focus on what he wants to do,” Parra said, adding that he would meet with his supporters to encourage them to vote for Griego. Parra’s stronghold is El Sereno, a voter-rich pocket of the 14th District.

Griego also said he has won the endorsements of former candidates Luis Cetina, Sylvia Robledo, Ramiro Moseley and Zeke Quezada.

But Pacheco said he does not believe those endorsements will hurt him.

“These other individuals received votes for their personal connections,” said Pacheco, who has Mayor Richard Riordan’s backing. “I don’t think they [voters] are just going to follow because someone says this is who I’m endorsing.”

Further, Pacheco said that he refused to commit to jobs for these candidates or to help them pay off campaign debts, hinting broadly that Griego had done just that.

Griego flatly denied such accusations.