Shay Qualifies for June City Council Election

Northwest Commissioner Allen Shay qualified for the June election on Monday, according to the City Clerk’s office.

Shay will face former commissioner Ciran Hadjian and Planning Commissioner Jason Lyon in the District 7 race.

This election year, candidates from district 3, 5 and 7 will square off.

Shay’s official entrance into the race as a qualified candidate locks the field for the June election.

Candidates in District 7 had until the close of Thursday to turn in the required signatures to qualify for the election.

“As a Pasadena Commissioner I really enjoyed advocating and advising the City Council on matters concerning the community,” Shay told Pasadena Now. “The unique experience as the commissioner was priceless, it prepared me to serve District 7. With over a decade of actively serving to address the needs and concerns of Pasadena residents, my passion for district 7 stems from the following lived experiences: a business owner for 35 years in the South Lake business district. A former Chair of PCC Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee to complete the construction of a multi-million-dollar Art and Media Center, a member and volunteer with Pasadena Media and a member of the Local Government Relationship committee with Pasadena Association of Realtors since 2006, all located in district 7.”

“Starting with hard work, humble beginnings and the commitment to the true experience of the district, as well as being a product of PUSD and now a candidate to qualify for the ballot to represent my neighbors, constituents and the great business community of district 7 is a great honor.”

“I truly love the city of Pasadena and the long history of hard work as a volunteer in the district, that’s why I live in the district and work in the district. I am grateful for this opportunity to run for City Council and utilize my lived experience in Pasadena to advocate for the residents of District 7.”

District 7 is bounded by Colorado and Del Mar boulevards to the north; the city limits to the south; Arroyo Parkway, Madison Avenue, and Los Robles Avenue to the west; and Allen and Roosevelt avenues to the east.

The district is home to some of Pasadena’s most iconic institutions, including the Pasadena Playhouse, the Langham Hotel, Pasadena Community College, and Caltech.

In this year’s race, six candidates will vie for the three seats.

Incumbent John Kennedy and challenger Brandon Lamar have qualified in District 3. Jess Rivas, who has also qualified, is running unopposed in District 5.

The primary election will be held on June 7 if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election will be held on Nov. 8.

This is the second local election since the city moved its elections to correspond with state elections in compliance with the California Voters Participation Act (CVPA). Cities complied with the call to move local elections, which was designed to increase voter turnout. As a result of the change, the city no longer conducts its own elections.

In the first election since the change more than 81% of Pasadena’s registered voters cast ballots in November’s General Election, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar/County Clerk’s Office.

All told, 74,290 of 91,498 registered voters, or 81.18%, cast ballots.