Ugarte takes early lead for South L.A. City Council seat. San Fernando Valley race too close to call

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Set us as preferred Jose Ugarte was ahead of Estuardo Mazariegos in the race for District 9 on the Los Angeles City Council, while in District 3, Barri Worth Girvan and Tim Gaspar were nearly even, according to early returns Tuesday night.The current council members in both districts — Bob Blumenfield in District 3 and Curren Price in District 9 — are leaving office because of term limits.CD9 has for decades been represented by a Black Council member.

Both men vying to replace Price are Latino immigrants, reflecting demographic changes in the district that is nearly 80% Latino and which includes the Convention Center and USC.Despite the shift in representation, both Ugarte and Mazariegos have said they are committed to ensuring Black residents are heard and represented.

The 9th District is the poorest in the city and residents face an array of challenges, including homelessness, safety and street cleanliness, according to the candidates.Ugarte is a former deputy chief of staff for Price, and Mazariegos is co-director of the L.A.chapter of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment.

The most recent campaign finance reports show Ugarte raising $1.1 million in contributions and matching funds, and Mazariegos with about $787,000.Ugarte’s campaign also has received major outside support through independent expenditure committees, which have no contribution limit but aren’t allowed to coordinate with a candidate’s campaign.His campaign has received more than $2.3 million in independent expenditure support, with funds coming from Airbnb, Uber, the California Apartment Assn.

and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18, which represents workers at the Department of Water and Power.Mazariegos, who is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America‘s L.A.chapter, also has received support through...