DEMOCRATS WIN SEAT ON LA MESA CITY COUNCIL

Medical pot measure also passes

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2016 (La Mesa)—Attorney and affordable housing advocate Colin Parent, a Democrat, has won election to the La Mesa  City Council,  narrowly defeating incumbent Ruth Sterling, a Republican.  Councilwoman Kristine Alessio,  an attorney, won reelection.  Parent will be the lone Democrat on the five-member Council.

Sterling has long been one of La Mesa’s most popular politicians, winning past reelections by wide margins. But she missed a key La Mesa debate this election cycle due to falling and breaking her arm.  Sterling had initially announced she would not seek reelection,  but later changed her mind after constituents urged her to run.

With 100% of precincts counted but late mail-in ballots and provisionals remaining to be tallied,  Alessio has 35.55% of the vote (6675 votes), Parent has 35.35% (6450 votes) and Sterling 30.11% (5654 votes).

Colin has served in Governor Jerry Brown’s administration working on affordable housing issues.  He is currently an attorney for Circulate San Diego, a group advocating for transit-friendly communities.

Councilman Bill Baber states,"I am looking forward to working with Colin Parent on our City Council. The voters know Kristine is doing a great job.  She deserved four more years. La Mesa is lucky to have her on the Council."

La Mesa residents also narrowly approved Measure U, an initiative to legalize and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, by approximately a 51.4% to 48.6% margin.