Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks has won reelection to a third term from the Eighth District, after a tight race in which his opponent refused to concede until the final tally.
Parks received 51.21 percent of the votes in the March 8 election, according to the final vote tallies released by the City Clerk's office Friday.
His opponent, Forescee Hogan-Rowles, had hoped the tight election might swing in her favor. She decided not concede saying the number of provisional and vote-by-mail ballots meant that Parks might not have the 50 percent of the vote needed to avoid a runoff. But in the end, it wasn't enough.
In a statement, Hogan-Rowles thanked her friends and family.
"We came just a few votes away from forcing Bernard Parks into a runoff -- even though he used to be one of the most popular leaders in the City," Hogan-Rowles said.
"Our campaign sends an important message to elected leaders like Bernard Parks, who ignore their constituents and the workers who keep our city working: no matter how popular you think you are you can't take the people for granted," Hogan-Rowles said.
Parks' son and spokesman, Bernard Parks Jr., said they were pleased with the outcome.
"We were able to win pretty convincingly, with 70 precincts to her 27, which says a lot, considering the $1.2 million in special interest money spent against us," he said, referring to organized labor's support of Hogan-Rowles.
"Everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame. Mrs. Hogan-Rowles is still waiting for hers," he added.
Asked if she would run again in the future, Hogan-Rowles said, "Absolutely."
Parks received 9,482 votes. Hogan-Rowles received 8,058 votes, or 43.52 percent. Jabari Jumaane received 975 votes, or 5.27 percent, , the City Clerk's office reported.
