Per Long Beach’s city charter, councilmembers may run for a third term, but only as write-in candidates, in the primary election. If they advance to the general election, their names will be included on the ballot.
Sixth District Councilmember Dee Andrews will seek another term, as a write-in candidate in next April’s primary election. Andrews is the fourth councilmember to seek a third term since a 1992 city law pro- hibited the name of anyone who has already served two terms to be printed on the ballot but allowed councilmembers to seek as many terms as they desire as write-in candidates. In 2012, 4th District Councilmember Patrick O’ Donnell became the first to win a write-in campaign to be reinstated to a Long Beach council seat. Jackie Kell, Val Lerch and Tonia Reyes Uranga had all previously tried unsuccessfully.
In a statement he released in May, Andrews said he is proud of his record but there is still much work to be done in improving his district.
“After a lifetime in central Long Beach, I think voters have a pretty good idea of who I am, what I stand for and what they can count on me to fight for,” Andrews wrote in late May. “Today, I will begin what is likely to be my final political campaign, by asking voters to write my name in to allow me the honor of continuing to represent them at City Hall.”
Andrews was elected to the Long Beach City Council in a special election in 2007. He was re-elected in 2008 and was unopposed in his re-election in 2012.As councilmember, Andrews has focused on strengthening neighborhood safety, prioritizing funding for local infrastructure improvements, expanding after-school programs and instituting common-sense reforms to improve the delivery of city services, according to the 6th District Council office.
Long Beach Vice Mayor and 2nd District Councilmember Suja Lowenthal announced last week that she will not seek a third term.
“After a great deal of reflection and consultation with family, friends and supporters, I have decided not to run for re-election to city council in 2016,” Lowenthal wrote in a statement released July 9. “Although I am fairly certain I could win a write-in campaign, I am inspired by all of the different ways I may continue to be of service to the residents of Long Beach. I have had the great honor to work with so many wonderful people during my nearly 10 years in office on the city council, and I am committed to finishing my term with the same passion and reverence with which I began.”
In her statement, Lowenthal thanked the residents of her district for their “trust and partnership” during her two terms.
“Although we still have important work to do in this final year, I can’t help but think of all that we’ve accomplished together in making our community and our entire city a better place to live,” she wrote. “I look forward to the journey ahead and our future endeavors together in service to our community.”
Following Lowenthal’s announcement, Eric Gray, candidate for the 2nd District council seat, released a statement commending the vice mayor for her work.
“I want to thank Councilwoman Lowenthal for her years of service to the 2nd District and to greater Long Beach,” Gray wrote. “For nearly a decade, Councilwoman Lowenthal has been a positive force for change in our community. She will continue to be an active leader in our city, and I wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.”
Gray’s statement indicated he has over $20,000 in cash on-hand for his campaign and “a strong history of community service.”
His statement also described him as a Long Beach community leader, small-business owner and longtime resident of the 2nd Council District. Gray currently serves as Downtown Residential Council President-Elect, and he co-founded the Historic Pine Avenue (HOPA) Business Association, according to his emailed statement, which also indicated he helped co-found the Music Council and Culinary Long Beach. The Leadership Long Beach alumnus is a Friends of Bixby Park board member, and he belongs to both the Long Beach Lambda and Democratic Clubs, according to Gray.
At press time, Gray was the only potential candidate identified on the City Clerk’s page for next year’s primary nominating election ballot.
