Police Union Endorses Nury Martinez for City Council

The union representing about 9,800 Los Angeles police officers on Monday endorsed Nury Martinez in the race to fill the San Fernando Valley-based City Council seat left open by Tony Cardenas' election to Congress.

"We are proud to stand with Nury, because we know that she will work to fully fund public safety, give officers the resources they need and work to put more officers on the street," Tyler Izen, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said.

Martinez, who lives in Sun Valley and heads the group Pacoima Beautiful, is one of six candidates vying for the 6th Council District seat in a special election set for May 21.

She promised to get more funding for the LAPD, which counts about 10,000 sworn officers. The Los Angeles Police Protective League represents all but about 200 high-ranking officers, generally lieutenants and above. "Public safety is government's most essential role, and I will fight to continue to make it the top priority at City Hall," she said.

The 6th district includes parts of Sun Valley, Pacoima, Van Nuys, Lake Balboa and Panorama City. Also running for the office are student Walter Escobar, businesswoman and environmental advocate Cindy Montanez, businessman Richard Valdez, government advisor Derek Waleko and community activist and businessman J. Roy Garcia.

In the March 5 primary election, the police union spent $644,717 to promote mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel and City Council candidates Bob Blumenfield, Paul Koretz, Mike Bonin and Felipe Fuentes, all of whom won outright or made it into the May 21 runoff election.

Martinez also is backed by a unit of Service Employees International Union that represents thousands of city employees.

Martinez also enjoys the support of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council members Huizar, Reyes and Koretz, L.A. Economic Development Corp. Chairman Bob Hertzberg, and former Congressman Howard Berman.