1. The Los Angeles Wave:

“State Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas scored a knockout victory Tuesday night to become the first Black man ever elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Ridley-Thomas had 250,198 votes or 61.4 percent of the votes, compared to 157,294 (38.6 percent) for L.A. City Councilman Bernard Parks.”

2. Los Angeles Times:

“A resounding victory over Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard C. Parks and a reputation for shrewd consensus-building was expected to aid Ridley-Thomas in an ambitious agenda, including better compensation for county workers and a pledge to reopen Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital by January 2010.”

3. L.A. Watts Times (PDF):

“In the most hotly contested local campaign of this election season, State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas captured more than 60 percent of the vote to defeat Eighth District Councilman Bernard Parks 250,198 to 157,294 in the battle for the second district Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor’s seat being vacated by Yvonne Braithwaite Burke.”

4. Betty Pleasant’s The Soulvine:

“YES WE DID! We won an historic double-header Tuesday: We put the first Black man in the White House and the first Black man on the county Board of Supervisors, both of whom were, far and away, the better candidates who trounced their opponents to prove it.”

5. The Associated Press:

“State Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas was elected to the powerful Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, defeating a bid by city councilman and former police chief Bernard Parks.

Ridley-Thomas won 61 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election for the 2nd District seat being vacated by Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke.”

6. Daily Breeze:

“As the first new member elected to the Board of Supervisors since 1996, state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas said Wednesday his first order of business is to assemble an effective staff and focus on immediate needs in South Los Angeles, including reopening Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital.”

7. L.A. Weekly:

“MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS’ BLOWOUT WIN FOR L.A. COUNTY SUPERVISOR

They brought the roasted pig out in a cardboard box. And even if it was a “victory” party, all in attendance knew that their Los Angeles County Second District candidate, Bernard Parks, was cooked.”

8. The Front Page Online:

“On a night of unbounded jubilation for blacks and other liberals practically everywhere on earth, Mark Ridley-Thomas elevated the already shrill volume with a historic contribution of his own, scoring a crushing victory over Bernard C. Parks in the stunningly lopsided race for Yvonne Brathwaite Burke’s seat on the County Board of Supervisors.

On the eve of his 54th birthday, Mr. Ridley-Thomas last night became the first black man elected to arguably the most powerful local body in the country by the nose-flattening margin of 61.4 percent to 38.6 percent for Mr. Parks, an L.A. City Councilman.”

9. La Opinion (Spanish):

“State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, who on Tuesday won the contest as a representative of District 2 on the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles, said in his first public appearance after the election day, that the welfare of Latino families is one of his priorities.”

Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas voted earlier today with his wife, Avis, and his son, Sebastian, at Transfiguration Catholic Church. His other son, Sinclair, could not get away from Morehouse College and voted absentee ballot.

Sebastian Ridley-Thomas talks about civic responsibility, voting and this historic day.

If you haven’t done so already, please go out and vote!

NOTE: We are reposting this important information after hearing of various voting problems citywide…

1. Know where to go to cast your vote! Find your polling location here.

2. Bring your photo ID, if you have one. You are not required to show ID unless you are a first time voter, but play it safe. Bring an ID just in case.

3. Know your rights! Insist on voting on a regular ballot if you are a registered voter. But if there is a problem, vote using a provisional ballot. No voter can be turned away without being allowed to vote.

4. Review your sample ballot before going to your polling place. Bring a list of candidates and ballot measures – that you intend to vote for – with you. Visit our list of recommended sites for information on California Propositions and L.A. County ballot measures.

5. Check your ballot before you finalize your vote!

6. Bring a cell phone. If you have problems, call the Secretary of State’s VOTER HOTLINE (1-800-345-VOTE), Common Cause (1-866-MYVOTE1) or the Election Protection Hotline (1-866-OURVOTE).

7. Do not wear campaign T-shirts, hats or buttons bearing the name of any politician or political campaign on them, including Barack Obama.

8. Election Day voter turnout is expected to set all-time records. Be prepared to wait in long lines at your polling place. (a) Arrive early in the morning, if possible. (b) If you plan to vote at night, arrive before the polls close at 8:00 p.m. – you will be legally guaranteed your right to vote. (c) If you arrive before 8:00 p.m., do not allow poll workers to close the polls until you have voted.

9. Bring a folding chair if you have problems standing for an extended period of time at your polling place

10. Bring bottled water and a snack, if necessary.

Speaker of the California State Assembly Karen Bass, Senator Barack Obama and Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Senator Ridley-Thomas is not only a California co-chair for the Barack Obama campaign, but was one of Senator Obama’s earliest and staunchest supporters. The two community organizers share much in common and have a strong friendship. In fact, when visiting California back in January, Obama singled out his “great friend,” Senator Ridley-Thomas, at the beginning of his remarks at L.A. Trade Trade Technical College.

Karen Bass is also an avid supporter of Senator Ridley-Thomas. See the Speaker’s enthusiastic video endorsement of the Senator here.

1. Jay Handal explains why he is voting for Ridley-Thomas on The Front Page Online:

“Being involved in community more than 20 years, and having worked with many politicians, I whole heartedly endorse state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas as our next County Supervisor.

A man who makes his own decisions, not relying on his fellow local politicians for direction, Mark will best serve the district honestly and faithfully.

If you are truly looking for local change, and an independent thinker with proven experience and track record, then be sure to check Mark Ridley-Thomas on Tuesday’s ballot.”

2. The L.A. Times has a favorable article about Senator Ridley-Thomas with some great quotes from constituents across the 2nd Supervisorial District:

Bishop Charles E. Blake praised Ridley-Thomas and his wife as, “a godly family faithful to the church and the work of the Lord.”

Rev. Ronald Byrd of First AME said that Senator Ridley-Thomas has “been a fighter for our community for such a long time.”

Inglewood health inspector Marcelyn Cypret is quoted saying that Ridley-Thomas is “for the working people, the working class.”

And commercial plumber William Brown likes what the Senator says “about protecting workers’ healthcare and retirement benefits.”

3. Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, California co-chair of the Barack Obama for President campaign, today sent a letter expressing sympathy and condolences from the Ridley-Thomas Family to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and his family over the passing of his beloved grandmother Madelyn Dunham.

4. L.A. Weekly reports on the “Bizarre Election Triangulation” between a serial killer, Clear Channel and Bernard Parks:

“Category: Desperate election moves. Check out the new deal between former Police Chief Bernard Parks, now an L.A. City Councilman, and Clear Channel, whose bad neighbor approach to doing business has helped plaster L.A. with illegal billboards…

Parks has tried some really odd moves to get media coverage of his race. Enter Clear Channel, which is suffering from a very tattered image for plastering L.A. neighborhoods with billboard clutter. Now, together, Clear Channel and Parks are going to find the Grim Sleeper serial killer.

It has nothing to do with finding the Grim Sleeper.”

5. Los Angeles Voters For Instant Runoff Elections endorses Mark Ridley-Thomas for L.A. County Supervisor:

“State Senator Ridley Thomas supports Instant Runoff Voting, and took the time to come to Los Angeles City Hall to say so at a hearing of the City Council’s Rules and Government Committee (I saw him there). His campaign bio is at http://www.ridley-thomas.com/about.php. His opponent (in this runoff[!] election) is a member of the City Council who skipped the Council’s consideration of IRV last week (perhaps that’s because he was out campaigning), and has been hard to pin down on the issue.”

Eric Bauman, the Los Angeles Democratic Party Chair, emphatically urged Angelenos to vote for Barack Obama and Mark Ridley-Thomas at a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) rally in front of City Hall this afternoon:

“You know, I feel hope in the air. But why do I feel hope in the air? Because, since the 1st of January, one million new Democrats registered to vote in the state of California. One million new Democrats!

And that one million new Democrats says, “yes we can, si se puede”. And tomorrow night at 8 o’clock we are going to say, “yes we did, si se pudo”. Because one million new Democrats means victory in California.

But, one million new Democrats needs to know they can’t stop at the top. You can’t just vote for Barack Obama. You have to vote for Mark Ridley-Thomas for the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. We have to win the Board of Supervisors.”

Approximately 300 supporters showed up to the Mark Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor campaign headquarters on Saturday for a major Get Out The Vote (GOTV) rally. Video from the event follows below…

Dr. Cornel West helped get the party started by joining 72-year-old volunteer Joe Stringer on an improvised dance floor!

Later, Dr. Cornel West pumped up the large standing room only crowd as only he can:

“When [Senator Ridley-Thomas] decided to run, I said I’m coming back again. Why? Because every election he’s had for 30 years I’ve been standing right by his side. Oh yes! Oh yes!

That’s why the folks call me up on the radio and TV and say, ‘Brother West, we want your endorsement’. No, endorsement is too weak. This is a wholesale, unequivocal, affirmation of who he is as a human being committed to unconditional truth and unconditional love and politics is just the vehicle for it.

That’s the kind of states-person we need. And that’s what you got here in L.A. County.”

Senator Ridley-Thomas followed Dr. Cornel West with a rousing speech of his own where he implored supporters to keep working “wall to wall until 7:59 p.m. [Tuesday] and then I’m going to squeeze the death out of that last minute”.

Earlier in the program, State Controller and Ridley-Thomas supporter, John Chiang, spoke about the sweeping change coming on election day:

“On Tuesday when we elect Barack Obama as President of the United States of America, when we elect Mark Ridley-Thomas as our next great county supervisor, we’re going to send a signal from the eastern shores to the midwest cornfields to the Rocky Mountains to our home here in Los Angeles, California that our hopes and dreams are alive.”

Prior to Chiang’s remarks, State Board of Equalization Chair, Judy Chu, enthusiastically endorsed Senator Ridley-Thomas:

“I’m so excited. I’ve known Mark Ridley-Thomas for 25 years now — ever since he was Director of SCLC. And ever since I’ve known him, he’s always been committed to equality, to justice and to the people. And that’s the type of person we need at the Board of Supervisors.”

Many other community leaders - including Inglewood City Councilman Daniel Tabor, L.A. County Young Democrats President Becca Doten, LAUSD Board of Education President Monica Garcia, and Cerritos Councilmember Joseph Cho, Ph.D - spoke about the importance of electing Mark Ridley-Thomas to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

1. Do not miss Ari Noonan’s latest on The Front Page Online about Senator Ridley-Thomas:

The quintessential hometown politician, the essence of populism who knows voters by name and by trait. He gets things done, and voters remember. State Sen. Ridley-Thomas (D-Culver City) believes in retail.

He knows how, where and why everything works. Each time he runs, the voters of a broad cross-section of Los Angeles city and/or County reward him…

An intellectual by training and by practice, he is the master teacher, and you may call him The Professor…

If you elect him, you will be gaining a supervisor who is intellectually rigorous, communally sensitive, and, some would say, best of all, well ahead of the curve…”

Read the entire article.

2. California National Organization for Women President, Patty Bellasalma recounts her Saturday on the bus with Senator Ridley-Thomas and Dr. Cornel West:

“Yesterday I started the day inspired by Cornell West’s words and wisdom. West and I then got on the bus tour with Mark Ridley-Thomas as we visited the rich and diverse communities that make up the 2nd Supervisory District in Los Angeles. What we saw all day was democracy in action, grass-roots community organizing, women, men, children of all ages engaged, motivated, determined.

The message that was sent by everyone, in both their words and deeds was don’t stop, keep marching right up to 7th hour, the 59th minute and the 59th second on Tuesday evening, November 4th!

As Kim Gandy recently told us, “what-ifs” are unacceptable; volunteer today, Monday, election day, its not too late! Be part of history at the local, state and national level; here are a few ways: in L.A., help make sure Mark Ridley-Thomas gets elected to the 2nd District Supervisor seat…”

3. See more than a 100 incredible photos from Saturday’s hugely successful Get Out The Vote (GOTV) rallies across the 2nd District:

4. Talented Earthquake Productions endorses Mark Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor:

“I’m going with Mark Ridley-Thomas. Parks is a shade too conservative for me, and seems a little too brittle and aggressive. Ridley-Thomas has the air of an accountant, but seems fairly competent. Parks also does not seem to be very tolerant of disagreement.”

5. Watch a UNIVISION news story (in Spanish) about the 2nd District Supervisorial race at Latinos 4 MRT.

6. The Chamber of Commerce Journal endorses Mark Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor.

7. The Los Angeles Police Protective League has taken out “radio spots backing Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas in the county Board of Supervisors race,” according to Rick Orlov in the Daily News.

UPCOMING EVENTS

8. Tonight is your last chance to get trained to be a poll monitor. Training starts at 6 p.m. at the Mark Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor campaign headquarters located at 2092 W. Jefferson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90018. Call (323) 733-2002 for more information.

In just a few days, California and the entire nation will participate in an extraordinary election. This election will be historic not simply because it marks the first time a major party candidate is a person of color or that the Republican vice presidential nominee is female, but also because it has generated incredible interest and blockbuster voter registration numbers. This election has particularly energized young people, who heretofore were the most apathetic, disaffected and unreliable members of the electorate. Given this level of excitement, this Election Day, perhaps more so than at any other time in history, provides the perfect opportunity for parents to engage their children about the election and have them participate in and witness this momentous occasion.

Senator Ridley-Thomas voting with his wife and two sons at the June primary election.

Election officials, based on media accounts of voter enthusiasm and coverage of early voting activities in other states, are predicting record levels of voter turnout on November 4th. Early voting sites across the nation are reporting long lines for eager citizens wanting to cast their votes. It is likely that Californians will also experience long delays at polling places on Election Day and officials are concerned people may be discouraged by the potential wait.

Despite any delays or issues that may occur at polling places, this is an opportune time for parents to bring their sons and daughters to the polls so they too can experience the excitement of election day and learn what to expect when they cast their first vote. California law grants workers two hours of paid time off to exercise their right to vote. I encourage parents to take full advantage of the law by leaving work early and picking up their kids from school or after school activities so they can accompany them to the polls. If there are long lines at the polling place, is there a better way to spend the time than educating your child or children about the rights and responsibilities of the citizens?

Election Day activities do not end once your ballot has been cast. In fact, the events last into the night as the polls will be open until 8 p.m. and perhaps later to accommodate the eager, but patient citizens waiting to cast their vote. I urge you to allow your children to participate and observe all of the activity of day, but only after they have completed their homework, household chores and other responsibilities. Permit them to stay up later than what is normally acceptable so you can watch the election coverage and election returns as a family. Discuss all of the issues of the day with them, from the top of the ticket right down to the local issues. Regardless of the outcome, I am confident that the experience will be a positive one and will shape the way your children will approach future elections.

Given the historical significance of this election and the crucial issues facing our country, November 4th is the perfect day to actively engage our children in a civics lesson and given them the opportunity to witness democracy in action. By doing so, parents will sow the seeds of civic participation and democracy that our children will harvest in the future.

Mark Ridley-Thomas
State Senator

Police Chief William Bratton also supports Mark Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor…

Sylvia Hampton is “a great supporter of the League of Conservation Voters” and of Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas…