---
[ ARCHIVE ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive)
# Post Election Notes: Some Surprises and Some Collapses
June 05 2014
Written by Paul Hatfield.
[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
***PERSPECTIVE***-Perhaps the biggest surprise on election night -and the best – was [Amy Swearengin finishing ahead of the field for State Controller](http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-controller-20140604-story.html). She had to contend with John Perez, Speaker of the Assembly.
Perez was heavily backed by the unions. He is now sweating out the final result. He may not make the final cut. There is a possibility of two Republicans in the runoff.
Swearengin (photo) was no fluke. She built an outstanding reputation as a prudent and effective mayor of Fresno, a city once teetering on bankruptcy. She won the endorsement of the Los Angeles Times, too.
Perez tried to claim credit for California’s financial improvement despite the fact it was higher taxes and an improving national economy that was responsible. He has done nothing to address the steady demise of the [State Teachers Retirement Fund, which is over $70-billion in the hole](http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-gov-brown-calstrs-school-budgets-20140513-story.html) or [address the tax system that relies too much on high earners, causing volatile swings in revenue](http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-cap-rainy-day-fund-20140512-column.html).
Two of the most hotly contested races were right here.
Sheila Kuehl and Bobby Shriver finished on top of an excellent field of candidates. The debates should be lively and informative. Both of them are articulate and intelligent. The County is not short on issues. Will either court Jim McDonnell, who will most surely win in the runoff for Sheriff? McDonnell could easily play the kingmaker, just as Kevin James did for Eric Garcetti in the mayoral race against Wendy Greuel.
And speaking of Wendy Greuel. Did anyone think I would overlook her latest train wreck of a campaign?
It was standard Greuel – no substance and insipid e-mail distributions.
Her own internal polling predicted she would lead the pack, instead she finished out of the money and is probably now packing her carpetbag to return to the Valley.
That’s two major losses for the former Councilmember and City Controller. Few politicians have ever come back from successive defeats. Richard Nixon is about the only name that comes to mind. Well, Greuel was once a Republican and probably admired him.
Her defeat is no loss for Los Angeles. At best, she was a mediocre Councilmember. She was certainly the least effective City Controller in memory. When it came to campaigning, she was the dimmest bulb in the ceiling. The 33rd District should breathe a sigh of relief and be thankful for the [matchup between Ted Lieu and Elan Carr](http://www.dailybreeze.com/government-and-politics/20140604/elan-carrs-victory-also-a-win-for-ted-lieu-in-race-for-henry-waxmans-house-seat-analysts-say).
Will Greuel run again?
The question should be, will any groups be willing to bankroll the campaign of a two-time loser?
For that matter, has she settled her debt with former manager John Shallman?
She should consider a change of career.
***(Paul Hatfield is a CPA*** ***and former NC Valley Village board member and treasurer******. He blogs at Village to Village and contributes to CityWatch. He can be reached at: )***
**–cw**
**CityWatch**
**Vol 12 Issue 46**
**Pub: June 6, 2014**
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Power Savers)")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")
## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays
Message
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/110 "Something You Should Know")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/113 "Rhonda Haymon campaign")
---
## Featured CityWatch Stories
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/voices/33461-are-small-businesses-and-workers-fighting-their-true-adversary-in-the-fast-food-battle)
### [Are Small Businesses And Workers Fighting Their True Adversary In The Fast-Food Battle?](https://www.citywatchla.com/voices/33461-are-small-businesses-and-workers-fighting-their-true-adversary-in-the-fast-food-battle)
THE WORKPLACE - On Sept. 8, the Los Angeles City Council voted to get one step closer to expanding Fair Work Week to fa…
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/33463-dwp-ratepayers-streetlights-and-the-lack-of-transparency)
### [DWP Ratepayers, Streetlights, and the Lack of Transparency](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/33463-dwp-ratepayers-streetlights-and-the-lack-of-transparency)
LA WATCHDOG - At its September 22 meeting, the politically appointed Board of Water and Power Commissioners approved a…
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/election-2024/33455-nithya-raman-asked-jewish-los-angeles-to-trust-her-her-own-words-made-that-harder)
### [Nithya Raman Asked Jewish Los Angeles to Trust Her. Her Own Words Made That Harder.](https://www.citywatchla.com/election-2024/33455-nithya-raman-asked-jewish-los-angeles-to-trust-her-her-own-words-made-that-harder)
ELECTION 2026 - Nithya Raman walked into the Skirball Cultural Center with an opportunity. She could speak directly to…
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33456-whos-watching-the-billions-at-laccd)
### [Who’s Watching the Billions at LACCD?](https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33456-whos-watching-the-billions-at-laccd)
BUSINESS OF EDUCATION - There is a $9.9 billion government institution in Los Angeles with nine colleges, thousands of…
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/important-reads/33458-a-health-care-tax-with-no-lockbox-what-la-countys-measure-er-really-promises)
### [A Health Care Tax With No Lockbox: What LA County's Measure ER Really Promises](https://www.citywatchla.com/important-reads/33458-a-health-care-tax-with-no-lockbox-what-la-countys-measure-er-really-promises)
HEALTH CARE - On October 1, Los Angeles County's sales tax rises from 9.75 percent to 10.25 percent, with groceries and…
---
## [ ARCHIVE ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive)
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/15339-early-intervention-and-jobs-are-key-to-stemming-chronic-homelessness-in-los-angeles)### [Early Intervention and Jobs are Key to Stemming Chronic Homelessness in Los Angeles](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/15339-early-intervention-and-jobs-are-key-to-stemming-chronic-homelessness-in-los-angeles)
### [Tucker Carlson and Gay Rightwinger Blame California Wildfires On Hiring LGBTQ People](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/18755-tucker-carlson-and-gay-rightwinger-blame-california-wildfires-on-hiring-lgbtq-people)
### [Anti-LGBTQ Veep Just Can’t Stop Talking about Mayor Pete](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/17690-anti-lgbtq-veep-just-can-t-stop-talking-about-mayor-pete)
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/15316-news-pulse-corrupt-system-reason-for-not-voting-in-2018-majority-wants-more-than-two-parties)### [NEWS PULSE: ‘Corrupt System’ Reason for Not Voting in 2018 … Majority Wants More Than Two Parties](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/15316-news-pulse-corrupt-system-reason-for-not-voting-in-2018-majority-wants-more-than-two-parties)
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/10245-dead-dog-set-on-fire-sparks-fears-for-strays-in-los-angeles)### [Dead Dog Set on Fire … Sparks Fears for Strays in Los Angeles](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/10245-dead-dog-set-on-fire-sparks-fears-for-strays-in-los-angeles)