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Compton elects Aja Brown as new mayor

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Compton Mayor Aja Brown (11721)
Compton Mayor Aja Brown

COMPTON, Calif. — Urban planner/activist Aja Brown defeated former Mayor Omar Bradley in the race to be mayor of Compton today.

Brown had 2,622 votes, 64 percent, to 1,527, 36 percent for Bradley, with all precincts counted, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Vote-by-mail ballots remained to be accounted, The Times reported.

Brown, a 31-year-old who has lived in Compton for just four years, campaigned on a platform of bringing a fresh vision to the city. She also said she wanted to make municipal government more transparent and responsive to residents, particularly when it comes to development.

Brown worked for Compton’s community redevelopment agency before being laid off two years ago, and she is the founder of the nonprofit Urban Vision Community Development Corporation, a Compton-based group aimed at promoting economic development and programs for youth.

Brown was supported by union groups, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and county Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, whose district includes Compton.

Bradley, 55, was convicted in 2004 of misappropriating public funds, but an appeals court recently overturned the conviction. He is awaiting retrial.

During his two terms as mayor, Bradley was known for his aggressive, in-your-face style. In his campaign to regain the job, he touted his achievements while in office — attracting businesses and jobs — and said he would lower utility bills, fix streets and stabilize the city’s finances while continuing to lower the crime rate.

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