Incumbent Councilman Challenged in Torrance Election

The June 2 election in Torrance includes a race in Council District 1 between incumbent Jon Kaji and challenger David Kartsonis.

According to Kaji’s campaign website, “Jon is a small business owner, husband, father, and dedicated advocate for North Torrance. A native of the South Bay, Jon is an active member of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Bay Association of Realtors.

“On the City Council, Jon works to protect the character of our neighborhoods, prioritize public safety, promote transparency and accountability at City Hall, and deliver a balanced, fiscally responsible budget. Jon is proud to call Torrance home, where he and his family have deep roots in the community.

“As a young boy, Jon enjoyed playing Little League at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute. His father, Bruce Kaji, was a founder of Merit Savings Bank, which provided thousands of home loans and was a major employer in the Japanese American community.

“Jon is currently a representative on the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and a member of the Metro South Bay Advisory Council, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, and the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles. He is also a member of the Japan America Society of Southern California, was one of the founders of the Japanese American National Museum, and was the former president of the USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association.”

Kaji recently presented a $100,000 donation from his family to the WWII Japanese American Incarceration Monument, which will be located in Columbia Park and list the names of approximately 125,000 incarcerees. He has proposed renaming the park after Torrance native and Medal of Honor recipient Ted Tanouye, who was killed in action during World War II.

Kaji was also involved in establishing “friendship city” relationships between Torrance and Shohei Ohtani’s hometown, Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s hometown, Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, as well as commissioning artist Robert Vargas to create a mural in Torrance honoring Ohtani, Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

He lists as his priorities protecting Torrance’s neighborhoods and quality of life, public safety, fiscal responsibility, and accountability and transparency.

Endorsers include Torrance Police Officers Association, AFSCME District Council 36, and South Bay Association of Realtors.

Kartsonis said in a statement, “I grew up in the South Bay and when it came time for my wife and me to buy our first — where we would start our family — we fell in love with North Torrance. Now that we have two children, we know that we made the right decision! We love our neighbors and our neighborhood, but the more I got involved in the City of Torrance, the more I wanted to ensure our neighborhood received the support and attention it deserves.

“My parents started the family business where my sister and I now work in Torrance nearly 30 years ago.

“Being a Torrance small business owner has given me insight into why businesses choose to headquarter in Torrance.”

Kartsonis has served on the Torrance Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Torrance Refining Company Community Advisory Panel, and El Camino Community College District Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee.

Regarding priorities, he said, “North Torrance residents deserve better — safe neighborhoods, cared-for public areas, ethical leadership, and financially responsible government.”

On the renaming of Columbia Park, Kartsonis has said that while Tanouye is deserving of the honor, proper procedures regarding community notice and input haven’t been followed.

Kartsonis’ endorsers include George Nakano, former assemblymember and former City Council member; former mayors Patrick Furey and Frank Scotto; Councilmembers Sharon Kalani, Bridgett Lewis, Asam Sheikh and Jeremy Gerson; Torrance Firefighters Association; Torrance Police Commanders Association; and El Camino College Police Officers Association.

Kaji is opposed by the Torrance Democratic Party, which has labeled him, Mayor George Chen and Councilmember Aurelio Mattucci as the “MAGA 3”; Take Back Torrance, which describes itself as “a group of concerned citizens dedicated to keeping Torrance free from extremism and hate”; and Indivisible South Bay L.A., which is “working to elect local champions and fight for progressive policies.”

The latter group recently said on Instagram, “Jon Kaji claims he’s independent. The record tells a different story: $35,000 donated to Trump Victory. His closest allies on council are both known MAGA members. Torrance deserves leaders who aren’t tied to MAGA politics.”

The Torrance Democratic Club’s Facebook page features photos of Kaji, Chen, Mattucci and President Trump with the red-circle slash symbol and the heading “Torrance voters say no to MAGA.”

Kaji said in a statement, “Accusations of being MAGA 3 are untrue, desperate and baseless attacks by my opponents’ supporters, some who also oppose the naming of a local Torrance park as the Ted T. Tanouye Memorial Park, after its native son, 442nd Regimental Combat Team member, and the city’s only recipient of the United States’ highest decoration for bravery, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

“It’s no surprise to anyone in the Japanese American community that both my father, Bruce, and myself were long-time Republicans. Bruce made his decision as a result of President Franklin Roosevelt’s signing Executive Order 9066.

“As a past registered JA Republican, I lobbied then U.S. Sen. Pete Wilson and other Republican AND Democratic members of the California congressional delegation to support HR 442, the redress bill. My family also supported LosAngeles Democrats such as Mayor Tom Bradley and State Sen. Art Torres as well as the late U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye of Hawaii.

“I also served as California’s international trade director for former California Gov. Pete Wilson, aggressively expanding our state’s global market presence, securing hundreds of millions in overseas investments and export contracts.

“I was an early supporter of APIA Democratic elected officials L.A. City Councilmember Michael Woo, Congressmember Judy Chu, and State Assemblymembers Warren Furutani and Al Muratsuchi. More recently, I’ve supported State Treasurer Fiona Ma, El Camino Community College Trustee Trisha Murakawa and Hawaii U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda.

“I made the decision years ago to register as an independent voter, now the second-largest voting bloc in California, who have unfavorable views of the partisan extremism of political parties.

“For the past years as a Torrance City Council member I have worked to make things better for residents of North Torrance and delivered real results to grow our local economy, bring good jobs to our city, help businesses succeed, and ensure neighborhoods are safe.

“My only ‘political party’ is Torrance City Council District 1.”

Take Back Torrance has alleged that Kaji lives in Rancho Palos Verdes and is renting a house in District 1. Neighbors were quoted as saying that they only see him when he picks up his mail.

Kaji responded, “My family and I have been residents of District 1 since 2021. As a resident of the district, I qualified as a candidate and was elected in June 2022.

“Certain individuals decided to spread a rumor that I do not live in the district. My opponent, who resides less than one block from our home, continues to propagate the lie.

“For those in the local community who know of my long-standing business and philanthropic activities, the false accusations diminish the opponent’s credibility and reputation.

“I look forward to serving for another four years as councilman.”

In the mayoral race, incumbent Chen is being challenged by Councilmember Kalani.

In Council District 3, incumbent Sheikh is being challenged by Mike Mauno, small business owner, former City Council member, and long-time community watchdog.

In Council District 5, currently represented by Mattucci, the candidates are Michelle Brooks, who was a senior leader in the Peace Corps; Betty Lieu, president of the Torrance Unified School District and wife of Rep. Ted Lieu; and Harry Ward, a doctor and veteran.

City Clerk Rebecca Poirier is running unopposed for re-election.

Candidates for city treasurer are Mattucci, former City Councilmember Mike Griffiths, and Charles Deemer, a member of the Torrance Water Commission. The post is currently held by Tim Goodrich.