FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Contact: Carl Petersen (818) 869-0309 or Nelson Pichardo (818) 281-1179
Upstart Candidates Look Forward to Working Together to Build an LAUSD That Is More Responsive to Its Stakeholders
Patty Lopez and Carl J. Petersen are both long-term activists for better public schools with reputations for defying expectations. Lopez is best known for toppling Raul Bocanegra to become an Assemblywoman for the 39th district in the 2014 election. Petersen had the lowest cost per vote (69 cents) in the 2015 Los Angeles municipal elections as part of a field of candidates who forced incumbent Tamar Galatzan into a runoff where she ultimately lost her seat. Neither had support from the establishment.
In this year’s Los Angeles municipal election both Lopez and Petersen are continuing their fights in two separate School Board races. In fields dominated by teachers and charter advocates, they are representing the beneficiaries of the system - the students and their parents. Recognizing their common interests in addition to complementary skill sets, the two have endorsed each other in their respective races.
“I respect Patty’s long-term commitment to adult education and look forward to learning from her as we work to reinvigorate these classes,” says Petersen. “Plus you have to respect her record as a giant-killer. At the end of long days introducing myself to the voters of District 2, her story gives me hope. Change is possible.”
“Carl is a dedicated warrior on behalf of our most vulnerable students,” says Lopez. “As a father of two daughters with special needs he understands the challenges that many of our families face. I look forward to working with him to ensure that the District is helping all students reach their full potential.”
The primary election will take place on March 7, 2017. The deadline to register to vote for the election is on February 21, 2017.
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Carl J. Petersen is a parent, special education advocate and a candidate in LAUSD’s District 2. He is endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action and Diane Ravitch called him a “strong supporter of public schools.” For additional information, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com
When Patty Lopez went to Sacramento in an attempt to save adult educational services she found that the doors of her representatives were slammed in her face. In response, she ran for 39th State Assembly District and represented her fellow citizens for one term before being pushed out by the political establishment. She is currently a candidate in LAUSD’s District 6.
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