Bill Bloomfield News Today

Article: Public Education Supporters Can Breath A Little Easier In Los Angeles - Preliminary results show candidates supported by public education supporters will have the opportunity to maintain a majority by defending the three seats they currently hold on the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) School Board.

Outside groups continue to flood Los Angeles Board of Education races with spending to win influence over the direction of the nation's second-largest school system.

Victories for Rocío Rivas and Kelly Gonez strengthen United Teachers Los Angeles' political position at a crucial moment for the union.

The District 6 incumbent believes she’s fended off a much-tougher-than-expected challenge from opponent Marvin Rodríguez — but he hasn’t conceded yet.

"I am ready to bring my very best to all of our constituents," Rivas said. "You can count on me to serve our district with unwavering dedication.”

L.A. school board President Kelly Gonez looks increasingly like the winner in her race; recent tallies also favoring Rocio Rivas over Maria Brenes.

Race between Maria Brenes and Rocio Rivas in District 2 gets tighter; in District 6, board President Kelly Gonez builds on her lead over Marvin Rodriguez.

In L.A. school board races, teachers-union backed Rocio Rivas pulls just ahead of Maria Brenes; incumbent Kelly Gonez holds onto a narrow but slightly increased lead.

In early vote counts, board president Kelly Gonez narrowly leads in an unexpectedly close race while Maria Brenes has small edge over Rocio Rivas

The battle to replace Monica Garcia reflected a charter schools-versus-teachers union divide, but the issues run deeper in the nation's second-largest school system.