L.A. City Council president Wesson backs Ramsay in District 4 runoff

Praising her experience, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson threw his support Monday to candidate Carolyn Ramsay in the May 19 runoff to replace termed-out Councilman Tom LaBonge.

Ramsay, who has served as chief of staff to LaBonge, was leading by fewer than 200 votes after the polls closed last week, with two challengers not far behind.

The runoff winner will represent a sprawling district that runs from Sherman Oaks to the Miracle Mile, including stretches of the Hollywood Hills and Los Feliz.

“A chief of staff is the heart, the actual heart of a council district,” Wesson said at a news conference Monday on a sidewalk on the edge of Windsor Square.

He added, “We have someone that knows the district, knows how to get things done, an individual that knows how to bring people together,” pledging his “200% support.”

Ramsay thanked Wesson for his support, calling him a mentor and role model. He is the latest City Hall supporter for Ramsay, who had already gotten the endorsement of LaBonge, as well as Councilmen Mitch O’Farrell and Gil Cedillo, before the primary election.

It remains unclear who Ramsay will face in the runoff. Two other candidates, hospital development director David Ryu and nonprofit leader Tomas O’Grady, were separated by only 61 votes when the polls closed. About 46,000 votes citywide continue to be counted this week, although it is unclear how many are District Four ballots.

Wesson was widely expected to back Ramsay over either Ryu or O’Grady: Ryu, in particular, was among the Korean American community members who criticized the redistricting plan that Wesson shepherded through the council. Both Wesson and Ryu once worked for former County Supervisor Yvonne Burke.

“He’s a fine young man,” Wesson said about Ryu as he left the news conference Monday. “I like him a lot.” But he added, “I support Carolyn because of who she is and what I believe she brings to the district. So for me, this is all about Carolyn.”

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