Corina Alarcon Backs Padilla for City Council
In a plot that might have been from a soap opera, city Commissioner Corina Alarcon broke politically Friday from her estranged husband, state Sen. Richard Alarcon, and endorsed Alex Padilla to succeed him on the Los Angeles City Council.
Richard Alarcon has endorsed Corinne Sanchez in the contest for his old 7th District seat.
Corina Alarcon joined Rep. Howard Berman (D-Los Angeles) and Barbara Perkins, who finished third in the primary race for the council seat, in throwing their support behind Padilla in the June 8 runoff election.
“I’ve seen firsthand Alex’s dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of the residents of the 7th Council District,” Corina Alarcon said at a City Hall news conference. “And I believe he has a vision, a vision that is positive for the 7th Council District.”
The pending divorce and split in endorsements between the prominent couple have caused a stir in the northeast San Fernando Valley district. Padilla’s rival, Corinne Sanchez, said the endorsement had more to do with enmity between the Alarcons than the council race.
Padilla said voters will see the endorsements announced Friday, and previous endorsements from Mayor Richard Riordan and the County Federation of Labor, as signs that he has a broad cross-section of support.
Corina Alarcon is a city building and safety commissioner who is on the board of a domestic violence shelter in the Valley.
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