(Oct. 14, 2019, 1:35 p.m., updated as indicated) -- As widely presumed, Cindy Allen, a contributor to the election/re-election and/or officeholder accounts of Mayor Robert Garcia and multiple LB City Council incumbents and from roughly 2013 until mid-June 2018 the owner/publisher of LBPost.com, has entered the 2nd dist. Council race.
LBREPORT.com didn't receive a press release (which other LB outlets did) from Ms. Allen's campaign. On Oct. 17, LBREPORT.com's publisher received a mass emailing in his personal (non-business) email account from the Allen campaign. We publish its text below] [Cindy Allen campaign mass emailing] My name is Cindy Allen and I wanted you to be among the first people to know that I am running for Long Beach City Council - District 2. I love our city, and as a homeowner and longtime community leader, I know we can do so much more to make the Second District safer, build more affordable housing, and reduce homelessness. I am ready to bring people together and advocate for our shared progressive values. Over the weeks ahead, I look forward to meeting you and sharing my plans on how we move forward and create more livable neighborhoods and an even more inclusive city. Ms. Allen, a former LBPD officer, is the spouse of Randall Allen (LBPD Commander/retired in 2018.) She previously owned/operated the ETA marketing/advertising agency (which the buyer's release indicate she has divested herself as of Oct. 1) The ETA agency has a six figure contract with the City of Long Beach (most recent amendment visible here. Ms. Allen has made contributions to the election, re-election and/or officeholder accounts of the following: [Scroll down for further.] |
Three of six previously announced challengers to 2nd dist. incumbent Jeannine Pearce in March 2020 have filed paperwork to date to raise funds. Robert Fox, a 2nd district businessman and property owner and excutive director of the Council of Neighborhood Organizations, is part of the newly announced "Long Beach Reform Ticket" whose candidates have committed to the "Long Beach Reofrm Pledge" promising to advocate elected to the City Council including [Reform Coalition release text] "campaign finance reforms, restoration of a process for the public toagendize council items, a clear public vote on term limits, absolute opposition to the use of public funds for political advocacy (veiled orotherwise), officeholder account reform and greater transparency by elected officials." Earlier this year, Mr. Fox gave voice to local business and resident opposition to a City Hall installed Broadway corridor "road diet" (former city traffic engineer has now exited, Public Works now making some changes with Fox seeking further.) Mr. Fox has more recently advocated reducing parking fines in the parking-impacting 2nd district (increased in Mayor/Council approved FY20 budget) and criticized other Mayor/Council budgeted spending items. In 2017 into early 2018, Fox catalyzed citywide opposition to city-staff sought density-increases to LB's Land Use Element revision, amplifying his advocacy by revitalizing LB's previously moribund citywide Council of Neighborhood Organizations. His more recent actions follow his involvement in 1980's opposition City Hall allowed developer-driven "crackerbox" apartment density (that ultimately led to the early 1990's replacement of the 2nd district's then-Council incumbent.)
2nd district challenger Jeanette Barrera has been critical of certain City actions but generally more muted in her criticism of City Hall policies. September-filed candidate Nigel Lifsey is currently unknown to us.
Incumbent Councilwoman Pearce (elected in 2016) faced an attempted recall [on which petition signature gathering fell short] but ended up censured in a March 2018 Council vote (LBREPORT.com coverage here.) Earlier this year, LB's City Attorney's office issued a report that concluded/alleged that Pearce hadn't fully disclosed certain outside income on a legally required annual filed/subsequently amended form that the City Attorney's office has opined created conflict of interest issues on certain Council votes Pearce cast (LBREPORT.com coverage here.) LB's City Prosecutor's office has referred related matters to the L.A. County DA's office for its review (in process now.) In the March 2020 election cycle, 2nd district residents will either elect a new 2nd district Councilmember outright (if he/she receives over 50%+1 of the vote) or (in a multi-candidate field) more likely send the top two finishers to a November 2020 runoff. Mayor Garcia, who has endorsed and/or used political fundraising mechanisms to support the re-election of Council incumbents in districts 4, 6 and 8, has remained publicly silent re district 2 thus far. He recently scheduled a fundraiser in the coming weeks for his "officeholder" account from which he could use contributions for a number of political purposes. Developing.
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