INGLEWOOD — The unofficial race to become the next mayor of this city, who would preside over a population of about 100,000 and an annual budget of $300 million, no doubt began the moment the ink was dry on Roosevelt Dorn’s midnight Jan. 24 resignation letter.

The developments of the past few weeks, and what could shape up as a fierce contest for the city’s top job, have already created a sense of heavy anticipation within Inglewood’s political class and others who closely track the workings of city government.

Perhaps best illustrating the phenomenon: last week’s near-immediate establishment of a new Web site, nextmayorofinglewood.com, which invites visitors to rank their choices
in potential candidates and sign up for more updates.

In all, it lists 15 possible candidates: State Board of Equalization member Jerome Horton, a former Inglewood councilman; West Basin Water Board member Gloria Gray; Councilman Eloy Morales; Inglewood Today publisher Willie Brown; Councilman Ralph Franklin; City Treasurer Wanda Brown; Inglewood Area Minister’s Association president Austin F. Williams; Councilman Danny Tabor; Councilwoman Judy Dunlap; Inglewood Unified School District Board President Arnold Butler; State Sen. Curren Price; Planning Commission Chairman George Dotson; former Inglewood Police Department chief Ronald Banks; State Sen. Rod Wright; and City Clerk Yvonne Horton.

However, the founder of the sometimes irreverent site — under Jerome Horton’s listing, it details his currently salary, which exceeds $159,000, and notes without irony that “typically Black folks don’t give up that kind of money” — appears to wish to remain anonymous.

There are no names listed as contacts on the site, and an e-mail request for an interview was not returned by press time.

In the wake of the resignation, only Tabor has publicly hinted of his intention to seek the office.

“I’m going to consider it,” he told The Wave when news of the resignation first broke. “I think that there are some opportunities there for me offering myself as a candidate, but I’m going to talk to some people first before I jump out and make that decision.”

Looking to put that question to the other three council members at a marathon council meeting held Jan. 26, Morales exited council chambers without comment. With a shake of the head and wave of the hand, Dunlap also refused comment.

Said Franklin: “Like I’ve told a number of people, that is a matter I will discuss privately with my wife and I will be making a public announcement soon.”

In terms of outside candidates, one name has consistently surfaced: former interim councilwoman Lorraine Johnson. In an interview, she described herself as “politically active” and spoke in measured tones about her future plans.

“I got a number of calls the day after [Dorn’s resignation] from business and community members,” she said. “I’m weighing the options. It’s a lot to consider, but I’m confident I could do a good job.”

Johnson cited housing developments in the fourth district and the early proposal plans for The Village at Century shopping mall as proof of her ability to get things done.

“I had disagreements with the mayor,” she added, “but a lot of those projects would not have moved forward without him.”

Even before he has fully committed to a run, Tabor has already picked up public support in the business community from Don Del Rio, founder of the Inglewood Contractors Association.

“Jobs and training is what people are looking for, that’s why I’m backing Danny,” said Del Rio. “No one else is [as] proactive in that area. He initiated us being here. With the Hollywood Park project and other developments, we need to get Inglewood residents trained, unionized, certified and ready to go to work.”

On Tuesday, the council voted to consolidate a mayoral election with county balloting scheduled for June 8. According to City Clerk Yvonne Horton, the nomination period for the election would be would begin Feb. 15-March 2.