City to declare Sarega winner of District 2 race and reorganize at next meeting

The La Mirada City Council is scheduled to declare election results final next week and re-administer the oath of office to incumbent Andrew Sarega following his narrow victory in the race for the District 2 council seat.

Three votes separated Sarega from his nearest challenger, Chris Pflanzer, in the June 7 election, which was held in conjunction with the statewide primary election. The final count certified by the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office last week listed 570 votes, or 34.34%, for Sarega and 567 votes, or 34.16%, for Pflanzer.

David Constatine garnered 523 votes, amounting to 31.51%.

"I'm grateful to the residents of La Mirada for allowing me to serve another four years," Sarega said. I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues on Council and working on some long term projects that will be of benefit not only to current residents of La Mirada, but future generations to come."

The close result led some in the community to speculate about a potential recount. But the deadline to request a recount elapsed Wednesday.

The City Council plans to take up a resolution during the upcoming meeting on Tuesday to declare the election results final and swear in both Sarega and District 1 incumbent John Lewis, who ran unopposed.

Pflanzer thanked his supporters.

"Clearly, I'm disappointed in the results of the election, but I'm proud of all the people who stepped up to work the campaign," Pflanzer said.

Their hard work was reflected in the neck-and-neck ballot count, he added.

Tuesday's City Council meeting is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 13700 La Mirada Blvd.