NORTH HOLLWOOD–Mary Benson, one of the most respected neighborhood advocates in the region and a former candidate in the race for City Council candidate, announced her full endorsement of Paul Krekorian on Friday.
The announcement of Benson’s support is a very significant development in the race for CD2 that further exemplifies Krekorian’s widespread grassroots community support.
“Paul Krekorian has the courage of conviction, the experience and the independence to make an immediate impact for us in City Hall,” Benson said, adding that Krekorian would advocate for valley interests. “Paul has provided extraordinary service to constituents in his Assembly District.”
Benson said Krekorian will be the most effective in preserving public assets like the Verdugo Hills Golf Course and “keeping the integrity of our specific and community plans.”
“Paul Krekorian will be an independent voice in the Council who will fight for us, instead of Downtown interests and big developers,” Benson added, describing Krekorian as “the kind of leader that our district and our city need during these challenging times.”
Benson was one of the top candidates in the first part of the Council race, coming in a very strong fourth place with 1,198 votes (8.29% of the electorate) on September 22. She continually garnered rave reviews at candidate forums when she displayed an impressive mastery of issues, especially with regard to development, open space and the environment.
“Mary Benson is among the most effective advocates for community empowerment in the entire city, and I am thrilled she is now a part of our grassroots movement for change,” Krekorian said. “The issues that Mary has fought for -– open space preservation, limiting overdevelopment and protecting our neighborhoods -– are important parts of my mission in running for City Council, and I am confident of succeeding in that mission with Mary Benson by my side.”
Benson’s endorsement demonstrates Krekorian’s growing momentum in the race and the developing consensus of community leaders. Krekorian has now been endorsed by nearly 100 community leaders and prominent neighborhood activists throughout the Second Council District. He has also earned endorsements from the Daily News, VICA Chairman Greg Lippe, and Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn. President Richard Close
Tamar Galatzan, former City Council candidate and current LAUSD Board Member, has also announced her endorsement of Paul Krekorian for the city’s Second District Council seat. A well-respected community leader and city prosecutor, Galatzan’s endorsement provides a significant boost to the Krekorian campaign.
“Tamar Galatzan is a tremendous advocate for the people of the San Fernando Valley,” Krekorian said. “She is a reformer who continues to push for an innovative agenda of positive change and accountability for our schools, even when she has had to stand up to politically powerful interests. She has been on the front lines of fighting against crime and for a better quality of life for Valley families and has a deep understanding of our public safety needs. I am thrilled that Tamar has joined our Valley-oriented campaign for change in City Hall, and I look forward to working shoulder to shoulder with her to make CD 2 streets and schools safer. .”
Galatzan, a Valley neighborhood prosecutor and School Board member, finished a very strong third place in the CD2 primary election, garnering 2,128 votes (12.99% of the total votes cast). Throughout the campaign, she consistently impressed voters with her depth of understanding of the issues facing the Valley and her innovative ideas for solving the City’s problems.
“Paul Krekorian shares my values and my concerns about Valley neighborhoods,” said Galatzan. “I admire his results-oriented leadership in the State Assembly on runaway film production, as well as his vote against the release of thousands of state inmates who would end up in our communities. CD2 voters should know that Paul has been consistent in his support for neighborhood councils and his opposition to overdevelopment. Paul is a proven advocate for Valley homeowners and jobs, and he has the skills and familiarity with CD2 to be an effective councilmember for us. I look forward to voting for him on Dec. 8.”
