West San Gabriel Valley politics play musical chairs to a money tune – The Pasadena Star-News

The game of musical chairs that upended West San Gabriel Valley politics last week was a reminder that only one thing matters to those who would be elected: money.

And I’m not even saying that as a pejorative thing — just as a practical one.

Though I do think that this particular practicality stinks, personally, I’m also not blaming the candidates caught up in it. It would be like putting them down for living in the real world.

What happened was in essence a cascade down the ballot from the simple fact that Monterey Park City Councilmember Yvonne Yiu, running to replace the termed-out Anthony Portantino in state Senate District 25, has scads of money. So much so that she can’t be beaten. After immigrating from Hong Kong at 16 and learning English here, she went on to major in economics at UCLA, take an MBA at Loyola Marymount and have a successful career in financial management both at firms like Schwab and Citibank and on her own.

The massive district includes all the West SGV but also Glendale, La Canada Flintridge, the Angeles National Forest and big dips down into Glendora and Claremont. No one else in it was going to be able to challenge her war chest for advertising throughout the diverse district, getting a name out through a dozen cities that no one outside your home base would have heard.

Even former Sierra Madre Mayor John Harabedian, who had raised over $500,000 for the state Senate race, saw the writing on the wall and suddenly decided to run for the 41st Assembly District seat being vacated by a termed-out Chris Holden instead.

That made a decision that was probably going to be made anyway easier for one-term Pasadena Councilwoman Felicia Williams. After just a couple years on the council, representing Bungalow Heaven and surrounding neighborhoods, she had announced early for the Assembly seat, and was at first considered by many the favorite, with considerable smarts, lots of energy, a glowing resume. But then her fundraising at around $100,000 was running third to former Pasadena police Lt. Phlunté Riddle’s   $253,000 and Claremont Councilman Jed Leano’s $150,000. So Williams likely would have dropped out anyway. Because of the money thing.

But Harabedian’s move just clinched the deal.

And that means Williams will run for re-election to her council seat, which she might ought to have done anyway, as voters like a little experience under a candidate’s belt before they seek to move up.

Most incumbents in local council races cruise to re-election, and don’t have formidable opponents. But when Williams said she was running for Assembly, former Pasadena Mayor Rick Cole got in the race, and, 40 years after first winning the District 2 seat, was the clear front-runner.

Now, he’s not going to drop out, and she’s not going to back off. So there will be a barn-burner of an election for the Pasadena council next year.

Portantino is seeking to succeed Adam Schiff in Congress, and Holden to oust Kathryn Barger from the Board of Supervisors. But one savvy pol who could be waiting in the wings if Holden is not successful in that endeavor is Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo. Barger would herself be termed out from the Supes in 2028, and, again, it’s a lot easier to win when there’s not an incumbent, especially a popular one.

And it helps to have or be able to raise a lot of money.

Wednesday at random

It was such a kick to be able to participate in a fascinating experiment in creativity artist Laina Miller is hosting in Altadena the other evening. Her The Creative Cafe, hosted after hours at the Amara Kitchen locations on Mariposa and also in Highland Park, is billed as “an artistic pop-up event where guests are invited to reserve a table and let ideas blossom. Inspired by artist salons of a bygone era, The Cafe offers a menu of creative activities for guests to choose from and serves up all supplies and a sampling of guidance alongside a refreshing beverage” — wine or otherwise. “Whether it’s a first date, artist date, double date, friend date, or a date night for lovers, Laina is offering something that is equal parts soul-nourishing and fun night out on the town!” I had a little writing project to work on; Phoebe had some drawing to do. Great to get out, away from chores, and just do it. Reservations for future evenings: lainamiller.com.

Write the public editor at lwilson@scng.com.