>In LA yesterday, the demographics of turnout decisively moved from 1993
when Riordan was first elected. White voters were only 52% of voters
yesterday and the top two finishers were James Hahn, whose base was in the
black community, and Villaraigosa, backed by latinos and labor.
Villaraigosa, who surprised me by coming in first in the primary at 30% against Hahn's 25%, appears to be putting together a coalition of Latinos, Jews, and Westsiders (the most liberal part of L.A.). Hahn is liberal, Villaraigosa, who I voted for, is a genuine progressive. This is really good news for L.A.
And Tom Hayden, who has tirelessly championed progressive views while in the State Assembly and Senate, came in first at 30% in his bid to be on the City Council.
The runoffs are in June, six weeks from now.