Which Way, L.A.?
A Rare Chance for Voters in the Middle of LA County
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A Rare Chance for Voters in the Middle of LA County

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LA County has a budget of $22 billion, bigger than many states and some nations. It's run by just 5 supervisors, who provide healthcare and other basic services for 11 million people. But despite complaints, the supervisors are seldom challenged once they've been elected. Just two people have held the 2nd District since 1952. Now Yvonne Burkes' retirement means there will be change this year.

Banner image: (L to R) Bernard Parks and Mark Ridley Thomas

LA County Supervisors are seldom challenged for re-election. Kenneth Hahn held the 2nd district seat from 1952 until he died 40 years later. Since then, the incumbent has been Yvonne Burke who is stepping down this year. The 2nd District stretches from Koreatown to Culver City, including Inglewood, Watts, Compton and Carson. Historically it’s been a predominantly black district, but 25% of the voters are now Latinos. Leading the race to succeed Yvonne Burke are two familiar public figures who’ve joined us tonight. Bernard Parks served the LA Police Department for 38 years, retiring after 5 years as Chief and he’s now on the LA City Council. Mark Ridley-Thomas headed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference for 10 years. He was an LA City Councilman for 10 years, served 4 years in the State Assembly, and has been a State Senator since 2006.
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Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.

 

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