LA’s newest councilmember is a lone Republican

Republican John Lee appears to be the winner of the special LA City Council election in the northwest San Fernando Valley, one of the most conservative sections of the city. He defeated Democratic astrophysicist and community activist Loraine Lundquist.

In many ways, Lee mirrors his predecessor, Republican Mitch Englander, who vacated the 12th District seat last year. Lee was Englander’s chief of staff.

Lee will have a lot on his agenda in the coming months, including homelessness and the development and expansion of a rapid transit bus line in the Valley.