Election Day preview: Contested Measure N on Glendale ballot alongside state, county seats
Election Day is Tuesday, with one key ballot measure in Glendale and three locally decided seats up for grabs in the state Assembly, state Senate and on the County Board of Supervisors.
Here’s a quick look at the ballot:
State Assembly
The race to succeed Assemblyman Mike Gatto in the 43rd District will come to a head, and the two favorites in the race hail from Glendale City Hall.
Councilwoman Laura Friedman and City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian — both Democrats — are vying for the seat.
One of Friedman’s key issues is combating the effects of climate change and mandating increased uses of clean energy and more environmentally friendly methods of transportation. She wants to establish a small business initiative to help start-ups.
In addition to serving two terms on the Glendale City Council, she spent six years on the Metropolitan Water District’s board.
Kassakhian was first elected as city clerk in 2005 and has twice been reelected.
He wants to raise the statewide minimum wage to $15 and reduce overhead costs at community colleges in order to make tuition free.
Also in the race are Democrat Andrew Blumenfeld, a former La Cañada Unified school board president; Democrat Dennis Bullock, dean of students at Providence High School in Burbank; retired Army Gen. Mark MacCarley, a Republican; nonprofit executive Rajiv Dalal, a Democrat; businesswoman Alexendra Bustamante, a Republican; and Aaron Cervantes of the American Independent Party.
Measure N
Measure N could eliminate the long-standing utility users tax, which plays a key role in funding city services.
City Manager Scott Ochoa has said eliminating the 7% tax on gas, water and electricity bills would slice $17.5 million from the city budget, necessitating the layoffs of police officers and firefighters and potentially triggering library closures.
But supporters of Measure N say the city overspends on overtime and other expenses, and it’s time to reform City Hall.
Board of Supervisors
Five candidates are looking to succeed termed-out County Supervisor Mike Antonovich in the 5th District.
Glendale Councilman Ara Najarian is making a bid, as well as Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch Englander, who represents the 12th District in the northwestern San Fernando Valley.
State Sen. Bob Huff (R-San Dimas) is eyeing the seat as well as Antonovich’s chief deputy adviser Kathryn Barger and L.A. Deputy District Atty. Elan Carr.
State Senate
Antonovich, a Republican, is looking to replace state Sen. Carol Liu (D-La Cañada Flintridge), who is termed out.
He’ll be going up against Democrat Anthony Portantino, who served in the Assembly’s 44th District through 2012.
Also running are urban planning adviser Katherine Perez-Estolano, business owner Chris Chahinian and businessman Teddy Choi. All three are Democrats.
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Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com
Twitter: @ArinMikailian
