LA Board of Supervisors Could Get Female Majority

LOS ANGELES, CA - Hillary Clinton may not be the only woman to break historic barriers using California's primary as a springboard.

Two women vying for Los Angeles County supervisor seats are gearing up today for November run-offs that could shift the once all-male home of the "five little kings" to a female super-majority.

Rep. Janice Hahn, D-San Pedro, and Kathryn Barger, Supervisor Michael Antonovich's chief of staff, both enjoyed strong leads in their respective races for the 4th and 5th District board seats.

Hahn talked to KCAL9 about the possibility that if she and Barger both win, the board could be four-fifths women. That would leave Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who ran for re-election unopposed on Tuesday, as the odd man out.

"Four women and Mark," Hahn mused to KCAL9. "But you know I have no doubt that he'll be able to handle us."

Later, Hahn, in a response to a question about the historic significance of Clinton's big win and presumed Democratic presidential nomination, said she thought it was time for women to take over.

Hahn's significant edge in name recognition, high-profile endorsements and campaign funding put her atop the field of three candidates in the 4th District contest.

Barger was well ahead of the pack of eight candidates vying to succeed her boss in the 5th District.

Barger had strong backing from unions representing sheriff's deputies and county firefighters, as well as the Service Employees International Union Local 721, which represents most county employees.

A victory by Hahn would not only be significant for women, it would also return the Hahn name to the board. Her late father, Kenneth Hahn, was a board member for 40 years. The County Hall of Administration, where the board meets, is named for him.

Hahn said she thought her dad would have expected her to follow in his footsteps and talked about how his name influenced her campaign. "No matter where I go in the county of Los Angeles, people remember my dad, Kenny Hahn," Hahn told KCAL9. "He stood for something and people respect that. So, of course, I'm very proud of my last name and it means a lot to people so I certainly made the connection between myself and my father."

City News Service