Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — While acknowledging that ballots are still being counted, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Heather Hutt, looking at a seemingly insurmountable lead in her race for the 10th District seat, stopped just short of flat-out declaring victory Nov. 12.
“I’m deeply grateful for the overwhelming support from the 10th District,” Hutt said in an email to her supporters. “Our historic campaign has been humbling and inspiring, as I became the first woman and first Black woman elected to this seat. “This achievement proves what we can accomplish when working together for our communities’ future.”
Her email came three days after Kevin de León formally conceded defeat, putting an end to a months-long battle between the councilman and progressive challenger Ysabel Jurado in the race to represent the 14th Council District.
Jurado, a tenant rights attorney, had 56.25% of the vote compared to de León’s 43.75%, according to figures released Nov. 8 by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people of Council District 14 for the honor of serving these past four years, and to my supporters who stood by me with unwavering dedication to ensure our communities thrived,” de León said in a statement.
“While the results of this election did not go our way, I respect the decision of the voters and our democratic process. I extend my congratulations to Ysabel Jurado on a well-fought campaign and wish her success in leading our district forward.”
The councilman added he would be “helpful and make a smooth transition with her incoming team.”
Jurado declared victory Nov. 7, which she described as the direct result of her community’s support.
“Thank you to every person who joined this campaign, who believed in this vision, and who fought for this victory,” she said. “We are moving forward together and blazing a trail for the rest of the nation,” Jurado said in a statement.
The two candidates were vying to represent a district that includes downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno and Northeast Los Angeles.
De León had to overcome the political damage incurred when he was heard participating in a secretly recorded 2021 conversation in which crude and racist language was used.
At his election night gathering, the councilman noted that he faced challenges after the leaked recording — and that he refused to quit, as many had called for him to do, including President Joe Biden.
“It was too much if our district didn’t have representation, so my staff and I rolled up our sleeves and we dug in deep to deliver the services, the programs and the funding we deserve here in CD 14, and even in the face of intense, relentless scrutiny and pressure, we didn’t flinch,” de León said. “We held strong for our community.”
Hutt led her challenger, attorney Grace Yoo, by more than 21,000 votes as of Nov. 12.
She was appointed to the District 10 seat in 2022 after her predecessor, Mark Ridley-Thomas, was convicted on federal corruption charges. The district consists of Arlington Heights, Koreatown, Mid-City, Palms, South Robertson, West Adams and Wilshire Center.
In the other L.A. City Council race former Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, was holding a big lead in his race for the 2nd District seat, defeating business owner and political newcomer Jillian Burgos with a 6,632-vote lead.
Nazarian told supporters over the weekend that he’s “confident that with the strong backing we’ve secured, we are on the path to victory.”
Nazarian is set to succeed the termed-out Paul Krekorian for the 2nd District seat, representing East San Fernando Valley neighborhoods of North Hollywood, Studio City, Sun Valley, Valley Glen, Valley Village, Van Nuys and Toluca Lake.
Nazarian was Krekorian’s chief of staff from 2006 to 2012 before being elected to the Assembly.
