Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León’s luck has finally run out. The embattled incumbent lost re-election to tenant rights attorney Ysabel Jurado in last Tuesday’s election. Jurado said the election’s outcome will allow the city to “finally close this chapter in L.A. history and move past the tapes.”
Jurado was referring to a secret recording that was leaked to the public in 2022. It featured racist statements by then Council President Nury Martinez, which de León was present for. On the recording, de León also spoke of his desire to expand and retain Latinos’ political power through the process of redistricting.
Jurado is of Filipino descent. She had the backing of prominent Latino leaders, however, including City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez.
Juardo is a much more progressive figure than de León. Her views on policing have been criticized by the local police union. Shortly before the election, she ended up with a recording scandal on her own when her “f*ck the police” comments were leaked to the public.
The rejection of de León was likely driven less by policy or ideology than by Angelenos’ exasperation with public corruption and ethics scandals. In addition to de León’s ouster, voters overwhelmingly approved Charter Amendment DD, which will put redistricting decisions in the hands of an independent commission, rather than council members.
From Californiacitynews(.)org
