Candidates in the June 2 election for two seats on the Gardena City Council include incumbent Rodney Tanaka and newcomer Jeff Fukasawa.
Tanaka was appointed to the City Council in 2017 and elected in 2022. Before being appointed mayor pro tem for 2024-25, he served in that capacity from 2018 to 2019 and from 2021 to 2022.
Retired assistant chief of the Gardena Police Department, pastor, and lifelong Gardena resident, Tanaka attended school locally and loves to let everyone know that he is a proud Gardena High Mohican.
He retired after 31 years with the GPD. He received his bachelor of science degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in law enforcement from CSU Long Beach.
A Master of Divinity (MDiv) in pastoral/marriage and family counseling at Biola University, Tanaka attended graduate school at Talbot School of Theology. He is a licensed pastor through Gardena Valley Baptist Church and ministered on Skid Row at Union Rescue Mission for 12 years.
His affiliations include South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority, League of California Cities-Los Angeles-County Division, Kiwanis Club Gardena, Kiwanis International, Gardena Elks Lodge, Gardena YMCA and Gardena-Carson YMCA.
Endorsers include Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, Gardena Mayor Tasha Cerda, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Henderson, Gardena Police Officers Association and L.A. County Firefighters Local 1014.
Fukasawa is a product of Gardena’s public schools, having attended Denker Elementary, Peary Junior High, and Gardena High School. He also grew up connected to Gardena’s cultural and community roots through the Gardena Buddhist Church and Japanese School. He continued his education at UC Santa Barbara, earning his bachelor’s degree, double-majoring in business economics and accounting as well as Asian American studies.
A lifelong Gardena resident and small business owner, Fukasawa founded Commline Inc. in 2010, creating local opportunity and building first-hand experience with budgets, operations, and the real-world impact of smart decision-making.
As a kid, he was active in local youth programs, including Gardena Optimist Baseball, Gardena F.O.R. Basketball, and Gardena Aikido. As a Boy Scout, he earned the rank of first class from 1989 to 1993, learning the values of leadership, responsibility, and giving back.
Those same values continue through his involvement with local civic and nonprofit organizations, including membership in the Gardena Elks Lodge since 2019 and the Gardena Foundation.
His platform includes public safety, public services, fiscal responsibility, supporting seniors, and supporting at-risk youth. His slogan: “From Gardena, For Gardena.”
A recent Fukasawa campaign event was attended by Cerda, Tanaka, and Torrance City Councilmember Jon Kaji.
Also running in the at-large City Council election are Valerie Loduem, chair of the Gardena Human Services Commission; Julie Nystrom, meals service coordinator for the Gardena Home-Delivered Meals Program; and Alan Chan, a senior-level IT leader.
One of the candidates for city treasurer is Kale Morita, former member of the Gardena Planning and Environmental Commission and current member of the Gardena Economic Business Advisory Commission.
He is a legal professional, an accounting manager, and a paralegal for The Blanchard Law Group, APC, where he manages the day-to-day operations of a wage and hour class and PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) action firm.
According to Morita’s campaign website, “His work isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about accountability. From handling firm budgeting and bookkeeping to conducting complex case law research, Kale has been an integral part of legal teams that have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for workers from some of America’s largest corporations.”
In addition, Morita manages the operations and finances for a 35,000-square-foot apartment complex in the Los Angeles Arts District and a premier art studio in Boyle Heights. “This unique blend of legal oversight and property management has given him a sharp eye for fiscal transparency and operational efficiency needed to protect Gardena’s taxpayers,” his campaign said.
His promises as a candidate include absolute fiscal transparency, protecting and growing the city’s reserves, and integrating with Gardena’s Finance Department.
“Gardena is more than just where I work; it’s where my home is and it’s where I’m raising my two children,” Morita said in a statement. “It’s the city where I walk the neighborhoods, eat at the local spots, and enjoy the city events with my family. Because this is my home, I have a personal stake in making sure our city’s finances are handled with the highest level of integrity.”
Endorsers include Cerda, Tanaka, City Clerk Mina Semenza, and the Gardena Police Officers Association.
Also running for treasurer is Tahron Jackson, a forensic accountant and investigator for Los Angeles County. The position is currently held by Guy Mato, who is not on the ballot.
In the mayor’s race, Cerda is seeking re-election and is being challenged by Councilmember Wanda Love. Becky Romero is running unopposed for city clerk.