Eric Garcetti Backed by Filipino-American Community Leaders in Los Angeles Mayoral Election
City Councilman Garcetti currently represents Los Angeles City Council District 13, which includes Historic Filipinotown.
Eric Garcetti Backed by Filipino-American Community Leaders in Los Angeles Mayoral Election
Posted by: Alvin-Christian Nuval on March 4, 2013
Los Angeles residents will be voting in a primary election tomorrow to select a new mayor to replace incumbent Antonio Villaraigosa, who has reached his limit of two terms. Among the candidates vying to represent the second most populous city in the United States are City Controller Wendy Greuel and City Councilman Eric Garcetti, both registered Democrats leading the polls above the other contenders for the position.
Garcetti, who currently represents the Los Angeles City Council District 13 that includes Historic Filipinotown, has gained the backing of many Filipino-American community leaders. In a blog post written by Former Commissioner of the LA City Civil Service Commission Prosy De la Cruz and Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) Executive Director Joel Jacinto, the two discuss the achievements that Garcetti has provided to the Filipino-American community in past years.
“Eric designated the Historic Filipinotown neighborhood and has invested in the quality of life with new sidewalks, parks, and programs to clean graffiti. He played a key role in building the nation's first memorial to Filipino veterans who fought under General MacArthur in World War II -- veterans who served alongside Eric's grandfather when he was in the Pacific Theater. Eric also led the City Council in taking a stand to push for Sen. Daniel Inouye's Filipino Veterans Equity Act.”
Over sixty Filipino-American community leaders support Garcetti including Fil-Am Arts Executive Director Jilly Canizares, Park’s Finest Restaurant Owner Johneric Concordia, Pilipino Workers Center Executive Director Aquilina Soriano, Muralist Eliseo Silva, and Justice for Filipino American Veterans National Coordinator Arturo Garcia.
Though Garcetti has his list of supporters, Greuel is not completely without Filipino-American support and is supported by Founder of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles Leo Maranan.
Polls will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM on Tuesday, March 5th. In the event that no candidate receives a majority of primary votes (over 50%), the top two will advance to a runoff vote on May 21, 2013. To locate your polling place, click here.
*Image via Eric Garcetti (flickr)
