Insufficient signatures update

The Los Angeles Times asked a "shell-shocked" Ben Austin how it came to pass that he failed to collect the 500 signatures he needed to run for a seat on the Los Angeles Unified school board. He told the Times "that one of his campaign consultants gathered 500 signatures in the wrong school-board district." The LAT says Austin will appeal of the decision to keep him off the ballot.

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.