Jillian Burgos has conceded to her opponent, Former California Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, after he took a wide lead in the race for Los Angeles City Council District 2.
In a social media video, Burgos said she called Nazarian on Tuesday, adding that he was kind and accepting of her concession.
As of Wednesday evening, Nazarian has earned about 6,500 more votes than Burgos — 54% to her nearly 46%.
They were the top vote-getters in a crowded primary election for an open seat in this San Fernando Valley district covering Toluca Lake, North Hollywood and Van Nuys.
Nazarian puts race in national context
Nazarian claimed victory on Monday, saying in a statement that he's incredibly grateful to the voters and humbled by the chance to serve as the next councilmember.
"I am excited to work alongside my colleagues to drive forward impactful, common-sense policies that will benefit individuals and families throughout our community," he said in a statement.
As his strong early results started to trickle in, Nazarian quickly pivoted last Tuesday night to discussing how he planned to use this office to resist a second Trump presidency.
“You better believe that Los Angeles is going to be the lead to make sure that Trump does not continue doing what he did four years ago,” Nazarian told his supporters at an election night watch party in Sun Valley.
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He later doubled down in his victory statement, adding that the challenges ahead will be significant, but he's prepared to tackle it head on.
A progressive underdog
Burgos, an optician who has served on the North Hollywood Neighborhood Council, waged a progressive campaign in which she said she would increase outreach to unhoused residents and oppose large pay raises for the Los Angeles Police Department.
In the video announcing her concession, she said she's grateful for her supporters and the campaign they built.
"We should all be proud," she said.
Unlike Burgos, Nazarian expressed support for a city policy banning homeless encampments near schools and parks. He also raised far more money than her, and won endorsements from Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.
At her election night campaign event, Burgos acknowledged that she was an underdog. She called for more representation on the city council, saying more renters are needed on the 15-member city council.
“I have the lived-in experience,” Burgos said. “I know what it is to have to work multiple jobs, live with multiple people just in order to survive. And we know that we have to have diversity on our council.”
Voters want more done on homelessness
For many voters in this district, homelessness was a top issue. Just after he finished voting, Dani Torres said he chose Burgos because he liked that she’s more of a newcomer to politics. He hoped she would push for more accountability on homelessness spending.
“All I see is more homelessness,” Torres said. “I still see friends of mine who are like a paycheck away from becoming homeless. I’m almost homeless myself.”
At a polling place at North Hollywood Recreation Center, so many voters turned out that poll workers ran out of “I Voted” stickers. That was a disappointment to Daniella Sherman, who wanted a sticker after casting her first vote in a presidential race since becoming a citizen.
Sherman said she picked Nazarian in the council race, hoping he would do more to remove encampments.
“I feel bad for the people that they are homeless,” Sherman said. “But it’s not my fault that I’m going to be attacked at night, or that I have to live with this. I’m paying a lot of rent.”
Why this seat was up for grabs
This council district seat has been held for more than 14 years by Paul Krekorian, who couldn’t run again because he is termed out.
Before achieving elected office, Nazarian served as Krekorian’s chief of staff. Both are prominent Armenian American politicians in a district that has the city’s largest number of voters with Armenian heritage.
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