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Legendary Los Angeles political consultant Joe Cerrell dies
File photo: US President Bill Clinton (C), First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (L) and National Italian American Foundation President Joseph Cerrell (R) are pictured at the NAIF Gala Dinner 16 October 1999 in Washington, DC.
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Mario Tama/AFP/Getty Images
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Joe Cerrell.
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Courtesy of www.cerrell.com
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Legendary Los Angeles political consultant Joe Cerrell dies
Legendary Los Angeles political consultant Joe Cerrell dies
Joe Cerrell wasn’t exactly a household name. But in political circles, everyone was familiar with the legendary consultant who knew or worked for everyone from John F. Kennedy and former Governor Edmund G. Pat Brown, to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. He died of complications related to pneumonia at the age of 75.
Cerrell Associates issued this statement:
“Joe was a larger-than-life figure in California politics and public affairs for the past half century, beginning as a USC College Democrat and building a career in which he was an advisor to presidents, governors and political figures at all levels.”
The statement, issued by Hal Dash, chairman and CEO of Cerrell Associates, noted Cerrell's influence went well beyond politics.
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"His legacy as a counselor, confidant, and close friend to thousands of people in politics, the business community, as well as in the public relations and non-profit arenas, especially the Italian-American community in Los Angeles, will not be forgotten."
The Los Angeles Times quotes Governor-elect Brown as saying Cerrell “was around before even the term 'political consultant' was invented.” Said Brown, “When I first thought of running for office for the junior college board of Los Angeles at the end of 1968, he was the first person I spoke with.”
Cerrell was chairman of the California Democratic Party at age 24, before opening his own public relations firm in the mid-1960s. It’s perhaps the most powerful lobbying force at Los Angeles City Hall today.
Cerrell’s family released a statement that said, in part, “While many of you know him as a pillar of the political community, to us, he was simply the best dad ever.
“We are bolstered by his zest for life – for his love of politics, for his proud Italian heritage, and for his unyielding passion for the New York Yankees and the USC Trojans.”
Cerrell is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lee, two sons, a daughter and seven grandchildren.
KPCC wire services contributed to this report.
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