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2022 LAUSD Elections
School Board Races Are Too Close To Call
As the charter school industry tries to hold control of the LAUSD Board, just a few hundred votes separate the candidates in both races.
“There are a lot of votes left to be counted. The election can swing either way.”
- Marvin Rodriguez
Going into this election season, the charter school industry had to win all three contested LAUSD school board seats to maintain their majority. Its goals were given a lift when the teachers’ union (UTLA) decided not to put up a qualified candidate to run against Nick Melvoin in Board District 4. After having $2 million spent in his favor, the unpopular board member managed to win 59.28% of the vote in the primary, allowing him to avoid the need for a runoff. One down, two to go.
The charter schools were presented with another gift when UTLA endorsed Board President Kelly Gonez in Board District 6. However, even with the support of both special interest groups (and $315,810 in spending), Gonez received less than 50% of the primary vote and faced LAUSD parent and teacher Marvin Rodriguez on Tuesday.