Monday was a big day for Democrat Montebello Mayor Vanessa Delgado, who was sworn in for her brief stint as the representative of the 32nd state Senate District while simultaneously relinquishing her City Council seat.
The latter is likely to set off a battle to replace her.
The now-former mayor emerged victorious Friday in the race, with an updated vote tally from the Aug. 7 special election giving her an insurmountable lead over Republican business owner Rita Topalian.
Delgado will be serving the balance of the term of Artesia Democrat Tony Mendoza, who resigned amid sexual harassment allegations. That means she will be in office only until the end of November. Voters that month will choose between Topalian and Democrat Bob Archuleta, a Pico Rivera councilman, to serve a new four-year term that will begin in early December.
After the victory, it wasn’t clear what Delgado would do. Last week, she said she was awaiting a legal opinion from the city and state on whether she could maintain her local seat, possibly while taking a temporary leave, while serving in the Senate.
But on Monday, she announced in a press release that she would vacate her City Council post.
“After exploring a number of options with the city of Montebello’s legal team, it is clear that a temporary leave of my City Council seat is not feasible,” Delgado said. “I believe that elected officials should hold themselves to the highest ethical standards and, as such, I must leave the City Council upon assuming this new office.”
The announcement triggered reactions and planning for her replacement.
Councilman Jack Hadjinian said he would like make an appointment and save the more than $100,000 in the expected costs for a special election. But council members Art Barajas and Vivian Romero said they favor going to the people. Councilman Bill Molinari didn’t return two phone calls seeking comment.
“Let the people decide,” Romero said. “We should push for a special election.”
Hadjinian disagreed.
“We can find a good qualified candidate,” he said. “I know a special election will cost taxpayers’ money, and if we can avoid, it, we should.”
Barajas said he has questions but for now, his instinct is to call for a special election.
Montebello activists, who were trying to recall Delgado and Hadjinian, said they were “elated” that Delgado wouldn’t try to hold onto both offices.
“Hallelujah,” recall proponent Linda Nicklas said. “Now we can put all of our efforts into recalling Jack Hadjinian. It’s a step in the right direction.”
In her statement, Delgado addressed the brevity of her term.
“I intend to make the most of it by working on legislation that addresses California’s affordable housing crisis and ensuring that our district gets its fair share of resources.”
During Monday’s state Senate session, Delgado led the pledge of allegiance and then introduced her family members, including 15-year old daughter Isabella Delgado-Rojas, who accompanied her to the floor.
“I’m the only Latina in the Senate right now,” Delgado said. “It’s symbolic that she joins me. There have to be more Latinas here.”
The 32nd includes Artesia, Bellflower, Buena Park, Cerritos, Commerce, Downey, Hacienda Heights, Hawaiian Gardens, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Lakewood, Los Nietos, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier and Whittier.
