The District 5 race is a contest between candidates with valuable but different professional backgrounds in education. The district’s two most powerful unions are also facing off in the race by supporting opposing sides.
Local 99 of Service Employees International Union is backing Ortiz. Local 99 members include custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, teacher aides and security aides. United Teachers Los Angeles is backing Griego. UTLA represents teachers, psychologists, librarians, nurses and counselors.
Both unions spent comparable amounts — approaching $1 million apiece — in the primary, in which Griego finished in the top position.
Through Oct. 2, Local 99 has outspent UTLA, having poured in more than $590,000 compared to about $391,000. In the primary, however, the teachers union closed a funding gap with later-in-the-game spending.
A defining question for Griego is how much, if any, distance there is between her…
