Glendale Assemblyman Paul Krekorian changed jobs Tuesday, easily winning election to the Los Angeles City Council. Krekorian, who is completing his second term in the legislature, beat the rush in lining up a new job since he would have been term limited out in 2012.
The Burbank area Democrat who moved into Los Angeles to run for the job received 56.53% of the vote to defeat movie studio executive Christine Essell, who received 43.44%. They were running for the Tujunga district seat vacated by Wendy Gruel, who was elected city controller. The race was a hot one politically, with Essell outspending Krekorian, and strong city union presence, but the turnout was an anemic 15.3%.
After the election results are certified, Krekorian will resign from the Assembly.
The governor will likely call a special election to fill the remaining weeks of his term.

By Charles Cooper