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David Ryu wins LA City Council race

May 20, 2015

Defeats Ramsay to become the 1st Korean American and 2nd Asian American to serve on the Council

David Ryu had good reasons to put his thumbs up. (Korea Times)

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Health center public affairs director David Ryu defeated Carolyn Ramsay in Tuesday’s Fourth District City Council race.

Ryu received 53.85 percent of the vote to 46.14 for Ramsay with all 113 precincts reporting, according to unofficial results released by the City Clerk’s office.

Councilman Tom LaBonge was barred from running for re-election because of term limits. Ramsay is LaBonge’s chief of staff. She was endorsed by Mayor Eric Garcetti and a majority of council members.

Ryu’s victory will make him the second Asian American and first Korean American to serve on the council.

Ryu made a surprisingly strong showing in the March primary election and won the backing of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Ryu carried the torch of the political outsider, cashing in on popular themes of rejecting
campaign donations from developers and accusing LaBonge of misusing discretionary funds.

Ryu said he wanted City Hall to be more responsive to residents.

Eric Bauman, chairman of the county Democratic Party, said Ryu “will fight for working men and women, advocate for our shared Democratic values and stand up for residents of the Fourth Council District.”

The Ramsay campaign dismissed such proclamations as campaign stunts aimed at grabbing headlines. Ramsay touted herself as an experienced leader familiar with the inner workings of City Hall. She also pushed for the creation of a Hollywood Innovation Zone to attract entertainment and tech jobs.

Ramsay also pushed to ensure infrastructure repairs that require tearing up streets and sidewalks are better coordinated.

In announcing his endorsement, Garcetti extolled Ramsay’s “15 years of experience and track record of bringing residents, local businesses, and community leaders together to solve problems and protect the character of our neighborhoods.”

“I know Carolyn and have seen her work at City Hall,” Garcetti said. “I know she will do things her own way and bring new ideas to the City Council.”

The Fourth District stretches from Sherman Oaks, through Hollywood and Griffith Park and into the Hancock Park and Miracle Mile.