In the Los Angeles City Council District 7 race, frontrunner and former state assemblyman Felipes Fuentes has won. With strong political connections, better name recognition, and much more money, Fuentes overpowered lesser known and under-financed rivals Jesse David Barron, Krystee Clark, and Nicole Chase.

Fuentes jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, winning 51.3 percent of the vote. Chase grabbed 27 percent, Clark got 10.9 percent, and Barron received 10.8 percent. Since Fuentes earned more than 50 percent, there will be no runoff.

Fuentes raised $226,000 in campaign contributions while his opponents couldn't crack $20,000.

Fuentes, known as the “Worst Legislator in California,” is the latest job-hopping legislator who angled to win the far higher-paying $178,789 Los Angeles City Council job and create what is being dubbed as “Sacramento South.”

The Los Angeles Times gave Fuentes an head-scratching endorsement that acknowledged his problems in Sacramento but trumpeted his experience and potential. Will he redeem himself? CD 7 residents will soon find out.

Council District 7 covers neighborhoods in the northeast San Fernando Valley.

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com.

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