The nomination period for the April 10, 2012, primary nominating election opens Monday, Dec. 19, and closes at 5pm on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Members of the public seeking nomination for Council District seats 2, 4, 6 and 8, may pick up papers from the City Clerk at City Hall beginning Monday, Dec. 19 from 7:30am to 4:30pm. A candidate orientation session will be held Monday, Dec. 19 at 1pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 333 W. Ocean Blvd.
“During the orientation, the City Clerk Department will explain pertinent provisions of the City Charter, the Municipal Code and the California Elections Code, and we will answer any questions potential candidates and their campaign committees may have,” said Long Beach City Clerk Larry Herrera. “At the time of the orientation, each candidate will receive a Candidate Handbook containing vital information regarding the City’s election process and systems, as well as the rules and regulations of running a campaign in the City of Long Beach.”
To be eligible to hold an elective office in Long Beach, a person must be a legally registered voter and resident of the city at least 30 days immediately preceding the last day upon which candidates are permitted to file nominating petitions for office.
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A coalition of Latino community leaders that include Assemblymember Ricardo Lara, Assemblymember Tony Mendoza, Federal Maritime Commissioner Mario Cordero, Miguel Contreras Foundation executive director Tonia Reyes-Uranga, and 8th district PTA leader Janet Molina-Watt, announced their support for Al Austin in his bid for the 8th district Long Beach City Council seat. After the 2011 redistricting process, the 8th district, which encompasses the uptown areas of Bixby Knolls and North Long Beach, is one of the most diverse districts within the city, with hispanic residents making up 45 percent of its population.
“I’m honored and encouraged to receive the support from so many respected leaders. I am looking forward to working closely with them to address issues facing our community as the next council member representing the 8th District,” said Austin.
A longtime Long Beach resident, Austin has deep roots in the local community. After working several years in the aircraft manufacturing industry, Austin served as the distrit representative for the 26th senate district in Los Angeles from 2000-2004. In 2003, Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill appointed Austin to the Citizen Police Complaint Commission, where he was elected chair after his first year on the commission.
In 2004, he accepted a staff position with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, District Council 36 in Los Angeles, where he advocated for public service employees throughout Southern California. Austin also serves on the Board of Directors for the Fairfield YMCA, is an active parent with the Los Cerritos Elementary School PTA and a general manager for the Long Beach Browns youth football organization. Austin lives in Bixby Knolls with his wife and three children.
