Tornek Feels Good About Campaign

Mayor Terry Tornek told Pasadena Now late Tuesday afternoon that he worked hard and feels good about his campaign.

“I’m optimistic, but not confident,’’ Tornek said hours before the polls closed. “There is no way of knowing.’’

Tornek is facing Victor Gordo, Major Williams and Jason Hardin. Results of the mail-in ballots are expected to come in shortly after 8 p.m. The rest of the results will come in throughout the night.

In order to win, candidates must receive more than 50 percent of the vote. If no one reaches that threshold, the race will go another nine months, until the general election in November.

“I hope there is a result,’’ Tornek said. “I hope that it’s not a runoff that takes us all the way to November. That’s a long haul. I’ve worked hard. I feel good.’’

Tornek said he has continued to work while campaigning.

“We haven’t stopped working,’’ Tornek said. “I was at City Hall today working. The work doesn’t stop. The crises come and go and decisions need to be made and budgets need to be prepared. The good thing is that we’ve got a city manager form of government and a very capable staff. And so regardless of what the activities are of the elected officials …the business of government grinds on and the people’s needs continue to be met regardless of the rhetoric and the hyperbole. And I think that’s a good thing.’’

Tornek is the city’s second elected mayor in modern history. He defeated Jacque Robinson in a runoff election in 2016. In that race, the runoff was 45 days after the primary election.

During his term, the city adopted a policy that will lead to a $15 minimum wage and saw the end of the 710 freeway extension. Tornek successfully lobbied for a three-quarter-cent tax increase to help cover a $3 million deficit and help the beleaguered school district.

“The truth, is we’re not going to campaign seven months in a row,’’ Tornek said. “It makes things awkward for a long period of time. We’ll have to just sort of pace ourselves. I’ve already thought through how I would organize that campaign, but hopefully it won’t be necessary.’’