First published in the June 23 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
Kim Bowman gained an additional 750 votes Tuesday, further separating him from third-place candidate Jack Schaedel and securing his seat on the La Cañada Flintridge City Council.
Two weeks removed from Election Day, Bowman has garnered 3,145 votes (29.13%) and trails incumbent Mike Davitt by only two votes for first place. Both will sit in their respective seats on the council next month as the terms for Davitt and Jonathan Curtis are set to expire July 19.
Schaedel, so far, has 2,500 votes but trails Bowman by 645, and Marija Decker is fourth with 2,004 votes.
“I am humbled and amazed by the time, enthusiasm and energy so many people put into this race to make our success possible, especially my family,” Bowman said in a statement. “I received a gracious email and had a call with Mr. Schaedel last night after yesterday’s ballot count update. All the candidates ran great campaigns, and I respect their hard work over these long months. I am excited to continue serving the city.”
Bowman added that the city’s government “should be transparent and representative,” and encouraged residents to contact him or visit him at Constellation Coffee, where he will be every Tuesday in July and August to meet with stakeholders from 10 a.m. to noon.
Davitt, who has been on the City Council since 2011 and previously served as mayor, has held the lead through most of the race but expressed concern over Los Angeles County’s ballot-counting process, also referred to as the official election canvass.
“I am very grateful to the community for their support throughout this election cycle,” Davitt said in an email to the Outlook Valley Sun. “This has been a long period of time between the election and counting votes for all the candidates, so I am hopeful that we may be able to work together with the county in the future for a process which would be able to deliver results in a more timely manner. I look forward to working with the council on creating goals that are for the betterment of the entire community.”
County officials estimate that 13,790 outstanding ballots have not yet been processed and the next update will be announced Friday, June 24. The county will certify the final election results on July 1.
