Democrat James K. Hahn, the longtime city prosecutor and the son of legendary county supervisor Kenneth Hahn, won the mayoral election. He beat out fellow Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa by a 54-46 margin.
Most of the five City Council seats up for grabs also went to Democrats. But ironically, the most liberal candidate of all—Democratic scion Tom Hayden—was beaten in his race for Council District 5 by a more moderate opponent.
New Mayor Hahn had strong support from several trade unions, as well as police and firefighters. Challenger Villaraigosa, who was trying to become the city's first Hispanic mayor in more than a century, was supported by public employee unions but was tainted by his successful efforts to win a pardon from former President Bill Clinton for a convicted drug dealer.
The swing to the left is expected to bolster several liberal efforts that previously were slowed by outgoing Republican Mayor Richard J. Riordan, who was forced out by term limits. Environmentalism, affordable housing and passage of a more aggressive "living-wage" law are expected to be key issues that will be tackled early by the new council and mayor.
Whether the new council adopts a more aggressive slow-growth stance remains to be seen. Though powerful homeowner groups generally oppose growth, many real estate developers contributed heavily to the campaigns of Hahn and most of the winning City Council candidates.
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