Sykes Leads Wu in West Covina District 5
Former councilmember Fredrick Sykes holds an early lead over incumbent Tony Wu as Los Angeles County continues counting votes.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Former West Covina council member Fredrick Sykes led incumbent Tony Wu in the District 5 race as of the 11:45 p.m. count, with Sykes at 56.2% and Wu at 43.8%. The Los Angeles County Registrar's Office is still counting votes.
Why it matters
The race pits a returning former councilmember against a sitting incumbent, and Sykes's earlier loss to Wu makes the current lead a reversal for voters in West Covina's District 5. The outcome will shape the district's council representation as the county completes its count.
The latest unofficial count from the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office shows Sykes ahead 56.2% to 43.8%. Votes are still being counted, so the final margin remains unknown.
The players
Fredrick Sykes
A 75-year-old former West Covina council member who served from 2011 to 2015, was appointed the city's first Black mayor in 2014, and has lived in West Covina for 40 years.
Tony Wu
A 68-year-old incumbent West Covina councilmember representing District 5, who is seeking reelection and previously defeated Sykes in an earlier race.
Los Angeles County Registrar's Office
The county office responsible for administering and counting ballots in Los Angeles County, including the West Covina District 5 race.
The details
Early results included vote-by-mail ballots received before election day, vote center ballots cast before election day, and election day ballots counted after vote centers closed. Wu's campaign focused on fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and community events including the Moon Festival, Boba Festival, and Independence Day celebration. Wu also faced an unsuccessful recall effort during his tenure as an incumbent.
Timeline
Nov. 18, 2014: Sykes was appointed West Covina's first Black mayor.
2011 to 2015: Sykes served on the West Covina council.
Nov. 4, 2026: The 11:45 p.m. count showed Sykes leading.
Political Context
Sykes's return follows his 2011 to 2015 council service and his appointment as West Covina's first Black mayor in 2014. His earlier loss to Wu means the current count reverses the prior result in the same district.
The outcome determines who represents District 5 on the West Covina council. Residents should check the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office for final certified results once counting is complete.
The takeaway
Local races can turn on late-counted ballots, so the final certified result may differ from early counts. Readers should wait for official county results before drawing conclusions.
Further reading
Explore more Elections coverage for context on how local races are shaping up across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
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