The Associated Press James Hahn, elected mayor
of Los Angeles Tuesday, speaks at a news conference Wednesday.
Hahn, 50, won the election over opponent Antonio Villaraigosa.
By Dexter Gauntlett
Daily Bruin Reporter
Of the 2,141,403 registered Los Angeles voters, 608,119 or 28.40
percent cast their ballots to elect 16 offices and pass two city
measures.
James Kenneth Hahn edged out Antonio Villaraigosa by 7 percent
as the people’s choice for mayor.
“Everybody forgot there were two championships going to be
played in this city: The Lakers start their run tomorrow, but
tonight belongs to Jim Hahn,” said Los Angeles Laker
Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson during his introductory remarks for
Hahn early Wednesday morning.
Villaraigosa phoned Hahn later that night to congratulate him,
according to the Hahn campaign.
And in what resembled the results of the presidential election
““ minus the butterfly ballot ““ Jack Weiss squeaked by
Tom Hayden by 289 votes out of more than 50,000 in the Fifth
District Council race.
The results for the Fifth District Council have not yet been
certified, though 100 percent of precincts are reported.
“The law is that they must certify the election within two
weeks, but they try to do so sooner and we’re more than happy
that they are letting the process go forward,” said Susan
Shau, campaign manager for Weiss.
Weiss would replace former councilman Mike Feuer who lost
Tuesday night to Rocky Delgado in the district attorney race.
Measure A passed by a margin of 45 percent which will combine
existing Fire and Police Pension Plans.
Measure B passed by a 69.87 percent majority and will allow
surviving spouse benefits to widows and widowers of firefighters
and police officers who lost their benefits solely because they
remarried prior to Dec. 5, 1996.