Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa secured a second four-year term in Tuesday’s election. But one of his closest allies, Councilman Jack Weiss, was headed for a May 19 runoff in the contest for city attorney.

With about half of the votes counted, Villaraigosa avoided a runoff against the second-place candidate, attorney Walter Moore.The mayor had been expected to secure the needed majority, given that he had appeared in television commercials for himself and two other campaigns — and had outspent Moore by a ratio of 15 to 1.

Taking the stage shortly before 11 p.m. at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel downtown, Villaraigosa was greeted with a short burst of applause.

“I stand before you all humbled tonight, humbled by your support and by your confidence. I’m humbled by your continued trust and your continuing forgiveness,” he said.

Villaraigosa had been hoping to use Tuesday’s election to expand his political reach at City Hall, ushering Weiss and Greuel into citywide office.

(Source: LA Times)