With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Feuer took the lead with 44 percent of the vote, falling short of the 50 percent needed to claim the seat. Trutanich had 30 percent. Prosecutor Greg Smith was a distant third, while attorney Noel Weiss trailed the pack.
Feuer is a former city councilmember who is looking to return to city government after serving three terms in the state Assembly. He made an unsuccessful bid for city attorney in 2001, but he said his top priority this time is combating gun violence. Feuer cites his record of pushing through gun regulations, both at the city and state levels. Feuer said Tuesday night that he's optimistic he will beat Trutanich in May.
"Tonight, we've seen that thus far 2/3 of the voters in the city are choosing someone besides the incumbent city attorney to lead one of the most important public law firms in the nation, and I am looking forward very much for the opportunity to be that leader," said Feuer.
Trutanich and his supporters gathered in Studio City to watch the election results. He is seeking his second term after a failed bid in last year's election to replace Steve Cooley as district attorney. Trutanich is a former prosecutor. He touts his first-term record targeting vandals and polluters and going after neighborhood gangs with injunctions. He is also optimistic that he will come out ahead in the runoff election.
In an interview with Eyewitness News Tuesday night, an emotional Trutanich spoke about the loss of his mother over the weekend.
"I've had a big loss this week, so it kind of puts everything into perspective. I didn't expect my mom to pass away on Saturday. She was being released from the hospital and the next thing I know, she's gone. That really, you know, three days before this election, kind of changes the whole, you know, you never lose sight of what life is all about. Life is always first and foremost about your family," Trutanich said.
The candidates for city attorney reportedly spent $3 million on this campaign, making it one of the most expensive campaigns outside of the mayor race in city's history.
