Pasadena Election 2020 (Photo – Graphics Dept.)
Pasadena is poised for a new mayor after the November 3 election as Victor Gordo appears to have unseated incumbent Mayor Terry Tornek. Gordo so far has 54 percent of the vote compared to Tornek’s almost 46 percent.
By William J. Kelly
Gordo is an attorney who has represented District 5 on the City Council since 2001. Departing Mayor Tornek, a well-known real estate developer and former Pasadena planning manager, has served on the City Council since 2009 representing District 7 until being elected mayor in 2015.
The mayoral race was a contentious campaign. If Gordo becomes mayor, the Pasadena City Council will hold a special meeting at which prospective candidates will make a presentation. A successor would then be appointed to finish Gordo’s remaining term as Councilmember representing Disrictt. 5.
Measures P and O
Pasadena voters also appear to have backed Measure P overwhelmingly. Twelve percent of Pasadena Water & Power’s gross electric rate revenue will continue to be transferred to the City’s general fund to pay for public safety services, senior and homeless programs, street repairs and other purposes. The transfer from PWP should continue to provide about $18 million a year to the City’s coffers with no immediate changes to electric rates in store.
Measure O, a $560 million Pasadena Unified School District bond measure, also appears to be winning. Almost 63 percent of the votes counted so far are for the measure, compared to just about 37 percent against it.
Measure O money will be used to upgrade school facilities—from better information technology and removal of lead in pipes and asbestos in ceilings to repairing classrooms and developing new educational facilities. The bonds will be paid off by a new property tax assessment of $45 per $100,000 of valuation.
PUSD Board
Voters also appear to have elected Jennifer Hall Lee to represent District 2 on the school board, Patrick Cahalan to represent District 4, and Tina Wu Fredericks to represent District 6. Lee so far has almost 46 percent of the vote in a three-way race and Cahalan is leading his single opponent, Scott Harden, with almost 65 percent of the vote. Wu Fredericks has garnered 37 percent of the vote so far, putting her ahead of three opponents. “I thank the people who voted for me and supported me,” said Lee in a statement declaring victory. “I won’t let you down.”
Cahalan, who is school board president, thanked his supporters and also lauded Pasadena voters for backing Measure O. “Hopefully the state and national election will wind up in support of public education” too, he said.
Wu Fredericks expressed confidence that she ultimately will prevail, saying, “I look forward to moving from candidate to policy maker as the Board Member Elect for District 6.”
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