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Politics & Government

Howorth and Lesser Snag Two City Council Seats

Candidates Kathleen Paralusz and Viet Ngo finish third and fourth, respectively, with 1,840 and 403 votes.

Unofficial elections results show candidates David Lesser and Amy Howorth as the winners of two open seats on the Manhattan Beach City Council.

Out of 24,305 registered voters, 4,883 voted. 

As City Clerk Liza Tamura publicly tallied the votes in Joslyn Center on Tuesday, March 8, Lesser and Howorth maintained a guarded optimism midway through the ballot count, with both in the lead. The two were careful not to show the relief of victory until the final ballot had been counted.

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Current numbers have Lesser and Howorth winning the two vacant council seats with 39.69 percent (3,328) and 33.55 percent (2,813) of the votes.

Results are expected to be certified on Thursday, March 10.

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“We ran a good race, the four of us did,” Lesser said after it was apparent he would maintain his lead through the end. “It's an honor to have the support I have had. I wanted to speak about the issues I cared about and the community responded.”

Lesser was glad to share the evening with his family, especially after all the time he had put into his campaign. He promised them a vacation once the election was over and before he begins his work as a council member.

Howorth was careful not to declare victory too early, but did attribute her support to her time on the school board. “I feel they (the voters) are rewarding me for the job I've done on the school board. I hope to work hard to continue to earn the votes.

"I take pride in the part I played in that [the school board's success],but also want to give credit to my fellow  current board members, Ida [VanderPoorte], Ellen [Rosenberg], Penny [Bordokas], and Bill [Fournell] and also Nancy Hersman and Bill Cooper."

She later said, “It's emotional for me to have people that think I have done well. I'm grateful to Manhattan Beach for their trust.”

Kathleen Paralusz received 21.95 percent of the vote (1,840 votes) and Viet Ngo took 4.81 percent (403 votes).

Said Paralusz, "I look forward to spending time with my husband and daughter, who both sacrificed a lot for me during this campaign. As chair of the Planning Commission, I also look forward to supporting David and Amy as they help lead the city during the next four years. If I had to come in third, I can't think of two better people to have competed against. Manhattan Beach is fortunate to have elected two great leaders tonight."

Viet Ngo was unavailable for comment. 

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