Gordo Leads Tornek in Mayor’s Race

The oft-repeated claim that no incumbent has lost a Pasadena election since 1987 may be no more as of Tuesday.

Councilmember Victor Gordo seemed headed toward victory late Tuesday in the race for mayor against incumbent Terry Tornek.

Gordo holds the lead over incumbent Mayor Terry Tornek 28,869 to 24,279 as counting continues early Wednesday.

“I’m incredibly humbled and honored by these initial results,” Gordo said. “I first want to give an enormous thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and contributors who worked tirelessly on my campaign over the past two years to help create a better Pasadena for everyone.”

“This election was never about one person — it was about the people of Pasadena. The voters wanted change — and to take the city in a new direction. I am excited to work together with my colleagues on the city council to move our city forward during this challenging time. Importantly though, every vote counts and we look forward to ensuring that every vote is counted.”

Unlike past races, Gordo and Tornek received public endorsements from fellow City Councilmembers. Gordo was endorsed by Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton, Councilman Steve Madison, and incoming Councilmember Felicia Williams. 

Tornek was endorsed by Councilmembers John Kennedy and Margaret McAustin.

In the March primary, Gordo came out on top over Tornek, recording 45.99 percent, or 10,702 ballots cast in that race. But the two campaigns were placed on hold almost immediately when the pandemic struck. Gordo eventually led the charge to reopen city government, pushing for committees and commissions to return to work.

The oldest of five children, Gordo, who was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, moved to Pasadena with his family when he was 5 years old.

“We lived in a two-car garage,” Gordo recalled to the Pasadena Weekly in 2017. “In the corner of that garage was a Folgers Coffee can. In the can was a written list of friends and family and their phone numbers, some cash, and some other documents. If my parents ever didn’t come home, I was to take that can and walk to my neighbor’s house for help.”

After graduating from Pasadena High School, he enrolled in classes at Pasadena City College and eventually attended Azusa Pacific University. He later served as former Councilmember Bill Crowfoot’s field representative before winning the District 5 seat in 2001.

Two local ballot initiatives, Measure O and Measure P, also passed. Measure O, a $516,300,000 school bond, was overwhelmingly approved by voters.

The measure received 48,145 “yes” votes (62.89 percent) and 28,415 “no votes” (37.11 percent), according to numbers released by the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk by 10 p.m. Real-time numbers can be found at https://results.lavote.net/text-results/4193. Pasadena Now will continue to track the voting as well.

To officially pass, the measure needed the OK from 50 percent of the voters plus one.

The measure – which was endorsed by the City Council but opposed by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and some other area business groups – is expected to generate some $60 million to upgrade the PUSD’s computers and other educational technology. The remaining $456,280,000 will go to upgrading aging district facilities.

The bond measure, which appeared on the ballot as the “Pasadena Unified School District Repair, Technology, Student Achievement Measure,” will cost local homeowners between $45 and $60 a year on their property taxes for each $100,000 of assessed value.

“Given the current victory margin and the amount of votes left to count, we believe we have an insurmountable lead and Measure O has won approval,” said Tamerlin Godley, campaign chair for Measure O. “We are heartened by the community’s clear commitment to its children and wise investment in its public schools.”

Measure P continues the transfer of some funds from the city-owned water and power utility to the city’s general fund – according to city officials a critical element to maintaining a wide range of city services — and appeared headed for passage by a landslide margin Tuesday night.

As of 9 p.m., an hour after polls closed, the measure had received 41,683 “yes” votes (84.61 percent) and 7,582 “no” votes (15.39 percent), according to the county Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website. Real-time numbers can be found at https://results.lavote.net/text-results/4193. Pasadena Now will continue to track the voting in that election as well.

To officially pass, that measure also needed approval from 50 percent of the voters plus one.

“Pasadena voters have once again said that there should be a dividend paid by the power fund to support essential city services,’’ City Manager Steve Mermell said Tuesday night as the numbers were being tallied. “During these difficult times, our residents and businesses rely on the city to be there for them to provide services that benefit them on a daily basis.’’

The City Council in July unanimously approved placing Measure P on the ballot. It was the council’s reply to a class-action lawsuit alleging that Pasadena Water and Power had overcharged customers to guarantee there was money available to transfer to the general fund.

In Fiscal Year 2020, that total was around $17.3 million. It’s expected to be $18 million next fiscal year.

Councilmembers and other city officials say the continued influx of money from the utility to the general fund is vital to the city maintaining current levels of service for 911 response, first responders, public health programs, senior services, homelessness services, housing programs, and street repair.