Incumbents David Lesser and Amy Howorth were reelected to the Manhattan Beach City Council by a comfortable margin Tuesday night.
Lesser led with 43 percent of the votes, according to the city’s unofficial tally Tuesday, followed by Howorth with 35 percent. Challenger Bill Victor had 22 percent of the vote. Write in candidate Viet Ngo received just 20 votes.
Voter turnout was 17 percent.
“I’m thrilled and honored that the residents of Manhattan Beach put their faith in me again,” Howorth said on the patio of the Shade Hotel, where she held her victory party. “I’m thrilled David Lesser was also elected. I think we balance each other out really well. We don’t always agree, but we have a civil discourse.”
Lesser celebrated his victory across the Metlox Plaza from Shade, at Petros restaurant.
“I’m truly grateful to the residents for their vote of confidence in me, and for giving me the opportunity to serve the community,” he said. “Public service, giving back to the community of Manhattan Beach is what it’s about.”
Their oath of office will be administered on Mar. 17.
The council’s three other incumbents, Wayne Powell, Tony D’Errico and Mark Burton, will face reelection in March 2017..
Lesser and Howorth were elected to the council in 2011.
Last year, Howorth ran unsuccessfully for state senator. During her term as mayor, the council approved a public smoking ban and extended its ban on polystyrene and plastic bags. She said Tuesday that she sees her role on the council as a clarifier who makes sure everyone is on the same page. Before being elected to the city council, Howorth served eight years on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District board.
Lesser is a corporate attorney. Before being elected to the council, he served for six years on the city’s planning commission and for one year on the Parking and Public Improvements Commission. He frequently cautions his council colleagues against controversial decisions, such as last October when they approved four new high-paying positions over over his no vote. A public backlash against the decision stopped the city manager from filling the positions.
Victor, who is also a lawyer, had previously run unsuccessfully for council. His most recent campaign focused on fiscal responsibility and was particularly critical of the amount of money the city spends on consultants. In interviews, he said that he hadn’t planned on running but decided to when everyone he asked to run declined. Otherwise, he said, there wouldn’t have been an election.
When asked by Steve Napolitano, field deputy for Supervisor Don Knabe who emceed the vote counting at the Joslyn Center Tuesday night, how he felt about the election results part way through the count, Victor said he felt good.
“We had a conversation,” he said. “To me, that’s already a victory.” ER
