By ANDRÉ COLEMAN, MANAGING EDITOR
Published on Friday, January 19, 2024 | 4:40 am
According to papers filed by District 2 Incumbent Felicia Williams and challenger Rick Cole, Williams holds a lead in fundraising.
Williams has raised $69,221 and Cole took in $61,626.
“One of the biggest challenges for female candidates is raising money,” said Williams. “I am the only woman out of 11 city council candidates and am proud to receive financial support from small businesses, working families, firefighters, women’s organizations, and local leaders.”
“My reporting is transparent so you can easily track who gave how much instead of spreading it between spouses, family members, and serial donations. We are in a really strong position since I have also managed my expenses wisely, and that is the kind of transparency and fiscal discipline we need at city hall.”
Williams was elected to the Council in 2020, and also serves on The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority and the Board of Foothill Transit.
She chairs the City Council’s Municipal Services Committee and serves on the Finance Committee.
Williams is a public policy professional. According to the City’s website, Williams is an alumna of Polytechnic School, Stanford University, UCLA, and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
District 2 is bordered by Lake Ave., E Bell St., E Mountain St., Chester St., E Colorado Blvd., Vista Ave., E Villa St., Palo Verde Ave., Nelson Ave., Craig Ave., Casa Grande St., and Martelo Ave.
“We’ve run a positive, issues-focused grassroots campaign,” Cole said in a statement on Wednesday. “Our broad support has allowed us to be competitive, drawing on hundreds of contributors, volunteers and supporters in District 2. I want to represent the residents of our neighborhoods, not big money or special interests. That’s why I’ve knocked on more than 5,000 doors to talk directly to voters.”
Cole was elected to the City Council in 1983 and served three terms. He also served as city manager of Azusa, Ventura and Santa Monica. He currently is the chief deputy controller of Los Angeles and serves on the Pasadena Planning Commission.
Cole graduated from Blair High and received his bachelor’s degree from Occidental College and master’s from Columbia University. He is an active member of the International City/County Managers Association, the Government Finance Officers Association and the American Planning Association.