Curious case of insufficient signatures

According to the City Clerk's website, Ben Austin, former deputy to ex-Mayor Richard Riordan and consultant for Green Dot charter schools, failed to turn in the necessary signatures to qualify as a candidate in the March 3 race to replace outgoing LAUSD school board member Marlene Canter. This is curious because Austin was rumored to be Mayor Villaraigosa's pick in District 4. With Austin out, the field narrows to three.