O'Farrell to Face Choi in May Runoff

Mitch O'Farrell became the top vote getter in the primary election for the open City Council District 13 seat that will open when mayoral aspirant Eric Garcetti terms out.

O'Farrell, a former senior advisor to Garcetti,  attracted just over 18 percent of the vote.

He will face John Choi in the runoff on May 21, who captured just under 17 percent of the vote to finish in second place.

O'Farrell began the evening in third after an early count based on mail in ballots.

East Hollywood Neighborhood Council member Sam Kbushyan dominated early counts--with as much as a 27 percent share of the vote--surprising some.

Choi's percentage stayed steady at just above 16 percent through the evening. He was the primary's fundraising leader.

Choi, supported by organized labor, raised nearly $260,000, almost double that of O'Farrell's purse.

Choi's billboards could be seen high above the Echo Park and Silver Lake neighborhoods.

O'Farrell relied on his history in the community and the council district 13 office in his campaign.

Twelve candidates faced off Tuesday in this crowded field, where 20 once battled.

The  city council race that grossed the most donations across the city.

The high-profile seat is being vacated by a high-profile candidate now in the runoff to be Los Angeles mayor.

Council District 13 also has downtown proximity and faces a number of sexy issues, including gentrification and economic development and revitalization questions provoked by the rise of the Los Angeles River.