(Feb. 10, 2007) -- In LB's hotly contested 6th district City Council race where union support is likely to be a factor (as it was in LB's 2006 Council races), Council candidate Lillian Parker has announced that Teamsters Joint Council 42, the parent body to 23 Teamster Locals representing members in Southern CA, Southern Nevada, Guam, Saipan and Hawaii, has endorsed her.

Ms. Parker has previously been endorsed by LIUNA Local 777 (Laborers’ Union), in which she is a member as a civilian Audit Supervisor for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Among the other 6th district candidates is Al Austin, who identifies himself in press information as a Labor Advocate/Consultant...and is actually among field staff listed on the website of the American Federation of State, Country and Muncipal Employees union (AFSCME) CA District Council 36. Mr. Austin's wife, Daysha, is a long-time staffer/legislative analyst in the 6th district City Council office under former Councilwoman Richardson and continuing in the interim.

Another candidate is Ahmed Carl Saafir, president of LB's City Hall-appointed Civil Service Commission.

Other 6th district candidates are Dee Andrews, J.A. Caruthers, Ed Acevedo, Lee Davis and Charlotte "Sadiyah" Gibson.

"Other candidates may have more money or more political connections, but I’m going to work the hardest and the Teamsters agreed," Ms. Parker said in a release.

LB's next 6th district Councilperson will have an equal vote with other Councilmembers in deciding development from NLB to Belmont Shore and spending priorities citywide. She or he will be chosen by Central LB-area voters in a May 1 special election to choose a successor to immediate-past 6th district Councilwoman Laura Richardson, who was elected to the State Assembly in November.