Congresswoman Maxine Waters put her political capital behind Gloria Gray in race for Inglewood Mayor
By Kenneth Miller | Publisher
The race for mayor of the City of Inglewood has essentially been transformed into a two person contest between incumbent James T. Butts, Jr. and District 1 Councilmember Gloria Gray after the West Basin Water District Board Member secured the endorsement of powerful Congresswoman Maxine Waters on Oct. 22 in Inglewood.
Waters and Gray have always been longtime allies, but for any candidate to obtain the endorsement of the first woman and first African American Chair of the House Financial Services Committee is a major boost that carries much more than just name recognition, but a political machine that has been instrumental in shaping the national Democratic Party.
The five challengers to Butts in the Nov. 3 General primary election for Inglewood Mayor will be contested by Raina Carrillo, Fre’Drisha Dixon, Gray, Arturo Martinez and Joseph Soto, but only Gray has held public office.
Waters endorsement is the cherry on the top for Gray who has secured endorsements from Unite Here Local 11, which represents 32,000 hospitality workers in the area and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP).
Greater New Bethel Baptist Church Pastor Rikki T. Ferrell joined Waters at the press conference announcing the endorsement on Crenshaw Blvd. in Inglewood.
The top two finishers in the Nov. 3 election will advance to a spring runoff when the next Mayor of Inglewood will be elected.
