This year, LA is facing one of its most heated electoral processes to date: the City Council District 14 election. CD-14 is made up of nine neighborhoods in eastern LA, including Eagle Rock, Little Tokyo and Skid Row. General elections will be held Nov. 5 between incumbent Kevin de León and first-time candidate Ysabel Jurado.
Currently, Jurado holds a narrow lead over de León. Jurado, now backed by the LA Times and Democratic Socialists of America, is seeking an electoral victory that would end de León’s five year term in the district.
Residents of the district provided their opinions on the election. Voters’ interests included issues around affordable housing in the area, the state of local education and the 2022 scandal involving de León, in which a recording of a conversation including racist remarks between him and three constituents was leaked.
Marit Gaudreau: 25 years old, childcare provider, Highland Park resident
More people are homeless in CD-14 than any other district in LA, according to the LA Homeless Services Authority. Gaudreau said affordable housing is a top issue for her during this election cycle.
“It’s a quickly gentrifying neighborhood,” Gaudreau said. “I’d want to see stabilized rent in controlled areas. We have a lot of homeless neighbors, and I’d like to see them housed and taken care of.”
Gaudreau said she is currently undecided in the election.
“I am very much a lesser of two evils type voter, and I think that there’s a lot wrong with our system in general,” Gaudreau said. “I don’t think it’s possible to work fairly within this system.”
Douglas McClain: 49 years old, stay-at-home father, Highland Park resident
McClain said that he would not be voting for de León this election due to his participation in the leaked conversation.
“He’s done a lot of things to cover up his participation in an ugly incident,” McClain said. “He should have stood up and said something, and to be a politician you have to represent everyone, so I can’t vote for him for my conscience.”
McClain said education is a primary concern for him during the election cycle.
“As a father, I would have to say the state of the schools are concerning to me,” McClain said. “The school systems are great, but all the people moving into this neighborhood are sending their kids to charter schools and magnet schools. So the local schools aren’t getting those kids and they aren’t getting the money which means that the kids that go to the schools aren’t what they should be getting.”
McClain said that it is important to set aside one’s personal beliefs when representing a district.
“If you are truly going to represent the people then you have to represent everyone,” McClain said. “Jimmy Carter is a great example. He was a Baptist and that’s part of his identity. But when he took the oath of office, he realized he had to put those [beliefs] aside and represent everyone. Ideally, a politician is supposed to do that, especially on a local level.”
Patrick Costello: 44 years old, public school teacher, Highland Park resident
Costello said de León’s conduct following the 2022 leaked conversation has made him unelectable.
“First and foremost, as someone who’s concerned with students, I want someone out there that’s a role model,” Costello said. “So, someone who has been recorded privately hinting that’s more what they truly think about students of color, this is a big issue for me. Since he didn’t really own up, since he evaded responsibility […] as far as I’m concerned, Kevin should have stepped up and taken responsibility for it. I can’t imagine that I could sign off and vote for him.”
Kevin Ronsky: 47 years old, architect, Highland Park resident
According to Ronsky, the question of who the opposition is has become irrelevant. Ronsky said the only thing that matters to him is removing de León from office.
“I’m probably voting for Jurado,” Ronsky said. “Not having the councilperson be racist is the main thing for me right now.”
Ronsky said the 2022 leaked recording of de León is the primary reason why he is voting for Jurado.
“[The recording] impacts me heavily,” Ronsky said.
Michael Coleman: 33 years old, music producer, Eagle Rock resident
Coleman said that he is currently undecided regarding the election and that efficiency of services is a primary issue for him this election cycle.
“How well are the streets maintained?” Coleman said. “Are there potholes everywhere? How well is local stuff running functionally?”
Coleman said that affordable housing was another issue that he would base his vote on.
“The biggest thing around affordable housing is permitting, right?” Coleman said. “So, I’d like to see some sort of conversation about how to build higher density [buildings].”
Coleman said the leaked recording involving de León is a major factor in his decision.
“When you don’t know you’re being recorded, the things you’re saying to people you work with is the most important thing,” Coleman said. “At least, it’s a very telling bit of somebody’s character, so it’s important.”
A CD-14 candidate forum will be held Oct. 5 and will provide community members with an opportunity to ask each candidate questions.
Contact Mac Ribner at ribner@oxy.edu
