Alvin Parra

Although he has been on the job little more than a year, Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar had expected to run unopposed as he seeks his first full term next month. Instead, he finds himself battling a former aide, who mounted a surprise bid for the 14th District seat. Alvin Parra, Huizar's former district director, resigned and threw his hat into the ring just minutes before the November filing deadline, forcing Huizar to roll out a defensive campaign.

Although he has been on the job little more than a year, Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar had expected to run unopposed as he seeks his first full term next month. Instead, he finds himself battling a former aide, who mounted a surprise bid for the 14th District seat. Alvin Parra, Huizar's former district director, resigned and threw his hat into the ring just minutes before the November filing deadline, forcing Huizar to roll out a defensive campaign.

The first surprise of the March 2007 elections for Los Angeles City Council came Saturday morning when Alvin Parra, a deputy to first-term Councilman Jose Huizar, resigned his job and then filed to run against Huizar. "I worked for him for about a year, and what became very clear to me is that Jose Huizar is not the person that he portrays himself to be," Parra said. "He has made it clear that what goes on in the district and field aren't his priorities. He's more concerned with City Hall."

The first surprise of the March 2007 elections for Los Angeles City Council came Saturday morning when Alvin Parra, a deputy to first-term Councilman Jose Huizar, resigned his job and then filed to run against Huizar. "I worked for him for about a year, and what became very clear to me is that Jose Huizar is not the person that he portrays himself to be," Parra said. "He has made it clear that what goes on in the district and field aren't his priorities. He's more concerned with City Hall."

The signs, the crowd, everything seemed evenly split between Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alatorre and his challenger, newcomer Alvin Parra. But as the two candidates for the District 14 council seat went head to head in a campaign debate recently, there was at least one glaring advantage that the incumbent held over Parra: political experience. "I have more than 20 years representing the community," Alatorre, who turns 52 next month, told about 120 people at an East Los Angeles church.

Tim Ortiz, an East Los Angeles activist who supports Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alatorre's reelection bid, shook with anger as critics described the incumbent as being badly out of touch with residents. "I've dealt with him," said Ortiz, 30, who says Alatorre often visits neighborhoods and addresses the needs of residents such as those at the Ramona Gardens housing development. "He's never let us down."

Opponents of Los Angeles school board candidate Nellie Rios-Parra questioned her independence Monday, after revelations that her husband had planned to solicit millions in donations from billionaire Eli Broad to fund her race against incumbent David Tokofsky.

As incumbent Nate Holden and challenger J. Stanley Sanders approach the June 6 runoff election for the 10th District City Council seat, both say they will rise above the personal attacks that dominated the primary race. Both Holden and Sanders believe the negative tone of the campaign prompted many on Tuesday to vote for third candidate Kevin Ross, hurting their attempts to win the seat outright with a majority of votes.

Five City Council incumbents will run unopposed in the March 6 election, according to a final roster of candidates released Tuesday. That is the most to run unopposed in at least 35 years, City Clerk Frank Martinez said. The five are Wendy Greuel, Tom LaBonge, Bernard C. Parks, Herb Wesson and Greig Smith. Incumbent Tony Cardenas has four challengers: James "Jamie" Cordaro, Eric Dwight Rothenay, Candido Marez and Lisa Martellaro-Palmer.

As The Times noted, the "14th District Bonanza" (editorial, March 31) will be quite a shootout. However, out of the 14 candidates vying to replace Richard Alatorre, I am left wondering why The Times chose to praise Victor Griego. Griego's career as a City Hall lobbyist makes me believe that he is just a hired gun. Moreover, it has been written that he moved into the district just to run for office. MARIO SOLIS MARICH Highland Park Of the four candidates you praised, only one sticks out, Nick Pacheco.

Opponents of Los Angeles school board candidate Nellie Rios-Parra questioned her independence Monday, after revelations that her husband had planned to solicit millions in donations from billionaire Eli Broad to fund her race against incumbent David Tokofsky.

As incumbent Nate Holden and challenger J. Stanley Sanders approach the June 6 runoff election for the 10th District City Council seat, both say they will rise above the personal attacks that dominated the primary race. Both Holden and Sanders believe the negative tone of the campaign prompted many on Tuesday to vote for third candidate Kevin Ross, hurting their attempts to win the seat outright with a majority of votes.

The signs, the crowd, everything seemed evenly split between Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alatorre and his challenger, newcomer Alvin Parra. But as the two candidates for the District 14 council seat went head to head in a campaign debate recently, there was at least one glaring advantage that the incumbent held over Parra: political experience. "I have more than 20 years representing the community," Alatorre, who turns 52 next month, told about 120 people at an East Los Angeles church.

Tim Ortiz, an East Los Angeles activist who supports Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alatorre's reelection bid, shook with anger as critics described the incumbent as being badly out of touch with residents. "I've dealt with him," said Ortiz, 30, who says Alatorre often visits neighborhoods and addresses the needs of residents such as those at the Ramona Gardens housing development. "He's never let us down."

City Council candidate Victor Griego, who this week won the key backing of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, on Friday collected several more endorsements from opponents in last month's primary. Alvin Parra, the primary's third-place finisher, threw his support to Griego after interviewing him and Nick Pacheco, who placed first. The runoff election in June will decide who replaces veteran Eastside council member Richard Alatorre, who is retiring.

Adding to the divided endorsements among state legislators in the crowded Eastside City Council race, Assemblyman Gil Cedillo said Monday that he is supporting Juan Jose Guttierez to replace Richard Alatorre in the 14 District. "I think Juan Jose is the most appropriate given his deep roots there, his fierce and unquestionable advocacy and commitment and given his skills set that I think will grow in that office," Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) said.