The Race to Replace Councilman Greig Smith

There are seven LA City Council seats on the ballot next week, but only one without an incumbent. The 12th District is in the San Fernando Valley, where Mitch Englander is the establishment candidate against five non-insiders. Englander is the chief-of-staff for Councilman Greig Smith, who's retiring. Smith worked for his predecessor, Hal Bernson. Englander's $440,000 campaign war chest was provided by developers, unions and lobbyists, and his endorsements include the Daily News, the LA Times and former officials including Bill Bratton and Dick Riordan. Beth Barrett is a contributor to the LA Weekly.

Information on the 12th District candidates forum, Thursday, March 3 at 7pm