Lower-Profile Candidates Bring High Energy to Council Race

They don’t have the high-profile endorsements or the fat campaign treasuries of the two front-runners.

But Raul Godinez II, Tony Lopez, Ollie McCaulley and Barbara Perkins all share a belief that they can win this year’s election for the 7th District seat on the Los Angeles City Council.

Each brings a base of support and experience that makes them all credible candidates in what observers say is a strong field of contenders, led by legislative aide Alex Padilla and health agency director Corinne Sanchez.

*

Godinez, the former mayor of San Fernando, was perhaps the best-known candidate going into the race. A civil engineer employed by the city of Los Angeles for 12 years, Godinez served for five years on the San Fernando City Council, the last two as mayor.

Born in Chatsworth and a graduate of Cal State Northridge, Godinez moved into Los Angeles to run for the 7th District council seat, but said he has spent his life in the San Fernando Valley.

Godinez stressed he is the only candidate with the experience of elected office, which he believes is critical to be an effective council member. “I know my way around very well,” he said.

*

Tony Lopez, a district director for the Boy Scouts of America, has pursued a youth theme in his campaign, calling for more programs to keep kids out of gangs and in school.

“The problem is there are no after-school programs,” Lopez said.

Lopez grew up with a single mother and four siblings in Bell Gardens and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Cal State Long Beach.

He said more needs to be done for economic development of the northeast Valley.

*

This is the second time Ollie McCaulley has run for the 7th District seat; last time, he did not get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

This year, he has not only made the ballot but garnered endorsements from 30 Republican legislators, including Rep. James Rogan of Glendale.

As a government relations director for the nonprofit housing group Community Partnership, McCaulley said he has experience working with city government.

A former South Gate police officer, McCaulley called for an economic development program better focused on bringing quality jobs to the northeast Valley.

“We need somebody who is willing to say, ‘Don’t go out and bring me minimum-wage jobs, bring me jobs that pay more,’ ” McCaulley said.

*

Perkins, who until recently served as a consultant to the president of Mission College, says she will be a “team player” and “bridge builder” if elected.

She said she has been active in the community, currently serving on the boards of 14 community organizations including neighborhood watch groups.

A former flight attendant and training instructor, Perkins said the northeast Valley has not gotten its fair share of city services, and she would fight for equal attention from City Hall.

“If we have had so much good leadership, then why aren’t our streets clean?” Perkins said.

*

There are also two write-in candidates, teacher Connie Acebo Rodriguez and Alfredo “Alfie” Urrutia Jr., a college student planning to teach.