Supporter of Downtown Homeowners Unite -- Janet Ballantyne -- Planning To Run Against Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal in April 2012 Election; Grassroots Group Has Spoken Out Against Attempted Assessment On Downtown Residents By Downtown LB Associates

(Jan. 12, 2012, 12:15 p.m.) -- LBReport.com has learned that Janet Ballantyne -- a supporter of Downtown Homeowners United, the grassroots residents group that has spoken out against an attempted assessment (PBID) on downtown residents by Downtown LB Associates -- is planning to file paperwork to challenge Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal in the April 2012 election in LB's 2nd Council district.

The filing deadline is 5 p.m. January 13.

As previously reported by LBReport.com, Stella Ursua announced her 2nd district candidacy in November. (She requested City Clerk nomination papers in mid-December).

Also pulling papers two days ago (Jan. 10) was Mike Kamer, a Hellman area resident, who previously worked/volunteered with Americorps and will begin a CSULB MPA program in the coming weeks. Mr. Kamer tells LBReport.com he plans to accept no campaign contributions and will communicate with voters online.

As of the noon hour today (Jan. 12), Robert Wideman, a self-described "Tea Party" supporter who months ago announced via Facebook that he's a 2nd district Council candidate, isn't listed among individuals who've requested City Clerk candidate paperwork to date.

In other election news as of the noon-hour today (Jan. 12):

• In the 6th district, no individual has stepped forward to request candidate paperwork challenging 6th district Council incumbent Dee Andrews.

• In the 8th Council district: Lillian Kawasaki has requested -- and filed -- the required candidate paperwork; Al Austin has requested the candidate paperwork (due Friday Jan. 13).

• In the 4th Council district: Daryl Supernaw and John Watkins announced their candidacies months ago and requested the candidate paperwork, then learned last week that they'll face incumbent Councilman Patrick O'Donnell who dropped an Assembly bid and announced he plans to seek a third Council term as a write-in. Messrs. Supernaw and Watkins have both indicated they are in the Council race to win. Another initially announced challenger, Herlinda Chico, dropped her Council bid on learning of O'Donnell's planned write-in and announced that she will support his re-election.

Watch for continuing independent coverage of LB's 2012 elections on LBReport.com.