What You Need To Know About The Recall Vote In Redondo Beach

REDONDO BEACH, CA — The Special general election for the recall of Redondo Beach City Councilmember Zein Obagi will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

On Feb. 18 Long Beach resident Elliot Lewis delivered a notice of intent to recall Obagi and Peter Aziz filed a recall petition on March 3, according to Ballotpedia.

"Obagi was found civilly liable for failing to follow the California Rules of Professional Conduct and for abandoning his former client, such that in July 2021, the State Bar of California brought disciplinary charges against Obagi for breach of legal duties and misappropriation," the petition states. "Not only has Obagi abandoned his former client, he has also abandoned District 4, making District 4 a dumping ground for the controversial items that the South Redondo Beach City Councilmembers want to keep out of South Redondo Beach."

Obagi filed a statement in response to the recall effort, stating residents and other councilmember have called him "the most effective councilmember District 4 has seen in decades."

"Cannabis dealers, unhappy with Redondo Beach, have funded a recall effort to punish the resident-focused city council," Obagi said in the statement. "They are trying to confuse voters by misrepresenting the facts regarding a legal case I handled as an attorney. No State Bar judgments have been made against me."

Obagi said he stands by his work in the council over his 10-month service and would like to add to his list of accomplishments including the first neighborhood dog run and improvements to the safety for bikes and pedestrians on Grant Avenue.

If the recall is successful, voters will be asked to select a candidate to replace Obagi. Tonya McKenzie, Los Angeles County Commissioner of Alcohol another Drugs, is running against Obagi in the recall.