By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
COMPTON — Emma Sharif was elected to another term as mayor, according to early voting returns.
Early results show Sharif leading her challenger, District 2 Councilman Andre Spicer with 8,728 votes, 65%, to Spicer’s 4,713 votes, 35%.
Sharif thanked her supporters in a social media post.
“A special thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with me, and to everyone who has helped get me to this point,” Sharif wrote. “This is not something I could ever do alone — it is something we made possible together as a community. I love each and every one of you who believes in my vision. Let’s finish the work we have started.”
The Council District 2 seat held by Spicer will have a new representative. Anthony Perry is leading the early returns with 1,400 votes, 54%, followed by Bennie Tenson with 1,218 votes, 46%.
Voters in the Compton Community College District had elections in four of the districts seven areas for seats on the Board of Trustees.
In Trustee Area 1, incumbent Andres Ramos defeated former Compton school board member Skyy Fisher, capturing 77% of the vote.
In Trustee Area 2, appointee Nicole Jones received 66% of the vote over Adrian Cleveland.
In Trustee Area 4, incumbent Juanita Doplemore received 51% of the vote over Peter Parker, who received 49%.
Trustee Area 5, incumbent Sharoni Denise Little is trailing Sharon Whitaker, who received 53% of the vote.
Local congressional Rep. Maxine Waters secured reelection after securing 81% of the vote over challenger Christian Morales.
Compton school board member Ayanna Davis had a commanding lead over challenger Lydia Gutierrez in the 65th Assembly District, replacing Assemblyman Mike Gipson, who was termed out of office. Davis secured 80% of the vote.
Gipson was leading in his race for the Third District on the state Board of Equalization. Gibson had more than 59% of the vote, leading Samuel Sukaton.
Early voting numbers indicate that voter turnout was low in the city’s primary election.
County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan said his office received 1.3 ballots, which were processed and counted, with 22.38% of registered voters casting ballots. Those numbers could change as the vote-counting process continues.
Vote counting is expected to continue throughout the week and all vote totals are unofficial.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
