Kennedy wins Pasadena City Council seat outright, avoiding run-off

Los Angeles Urban League executive John J. Kennedy has won a seat on the Pasadena City Council, according to the unofficial tally of votes with all precincts reporting.

Kennedy received 586 votes, or 55.5% of the vote, avoiding a runoff election with businessman and chief competitor Ishmael Trone.

“I think the voters in District 3 are speaking volumes in terms of my message,” said Kennedy, who described his message as increasing quality of life and economic growth while maintaining government accountability. “I’m looking forward to extraordinary collaborations and just providing the very best service to my district.”

Trone, who could not be reached for comment late Tuesday night, received 405 votes, or 38.3%.

[Updated March 7, 2013: Trone, who leads the Rose Bowl Local Hiring Committee and is a member of Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Pasadena Museum of History boards, said his defeat at the polls would not deter him from future community service.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Trone said. “It was a fun campaign, and I learned a lot about the community. At this point, everybody needs to stay engaged and focused on moving District 3 into the future.”]

Pastor Nicholas Benson, who dropped out of the race last month, received 64 votes, or 6%.

Kennedy, 51, had raised more than $77,000 for his council campaign as of late February, according to reports filed with the Pasadena city clerk’s office.

Trone, 52, had taken in $18,600 and Benson did not report raising funds.

Former City Councilman Chris Holden, who backed Trone, had led the Northwest Pasadena district for 24 years, before being elected to the state Assembly.

The area is currently represented by developer Joel Bryant, who was appointed to serve as an interim council member on Jan. 22.

The new council member will begin his term on May 6.

In other races, incumbents Terry Tornek and Victor Gordo, who did not face opposition, were poised to win reelection.

-Joe Piasecki, Times Community News

Follow Joe Piasecki on Twitter: @JoePiasecki