More Vote Counts Released Late Friday Only Confirm Mayoral Runoff Probable

Los Angeles County Registrar/Clerk updated vote tallies from the March 3 election released Friday afternoon confirm the Mayor’s race is almost certainly headed for a November runoff.

Councilman Victor Gordo maintained his lead, but the margin slipped infinitesimally to 46.13 percent (from 46.14 percent 24-hours earlier).

Incumbent Mayor Terry Tornek’s percentage ticked up a fractional .05 percent to 41.82 percent of the vote.

Although an unknown number of ballots remain to be counted, it appears unlikely either candidate can capture more than the 50 percent required to become Mayor.

A runoff would not be held until the November 3, 2020, presidential election.

Gordo declared victory in the primary election on Thursday afternoon.

“Let me first begin by saying thank you to each of you individually and all of you collectively for working so hard for our campaign and the people of Pasadena,” Gordo said. “We are proud to announce a resounding victory.”

Tornek looked ahead.

“There’s a long pull between now and November and I’ve got a lot of work to do,’’ Tornek told Pasadena Now on Wednesday morning. “The good news is, it gives me time to do what I do best, which is walk and talk to voters, and that’s what I’ll be doing.’’

In city district races, incumbents Tyron Hampton of District 1 (who ran unopposed), Gene Masuda of District 4, and Steve Madison of District 6 all held on to the more than 50 percent required to win their races outright.

In District 2, where sitting councilmember Margaret McAustin did not run again, newcomer Felicia Williams also kept her commanding lead, now at 51.93 percent.