By Ray Richardson
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES – Primary election results for the District 10 seat in the Los Angeles City Council revealed a potential shift in demographics, validated a third-chance opportunity for one candidate and may have ended the political career of another.
Despite a voter turnout believed to be as low as 10%, major developments from the March 5 primary could have a significant impact on efforts to bring long-term stability to District 10.
Incumbent Heather Hutt, navigating her first election as a public official, was unable to gain more than 50% of the votes to avoid a runoff in November.
Hutt, who has the support of Mayor Karen Bass, pulled in 37.9% of the vote. Grace Yoo, the runner-up to Mark Ridley-Thomas in 2020 and Herb Wesson in 2015, received 23.4% of the vote to finish second and qualify for the November runoff. None of the three remaining candidates received more than 19%.
“More people know who I am this time,” Yoo told The Wave. “I’ve been able to reach more people. I’m about honest government. I’m for the people.”
The primary election results will be certified March 29 by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office. Until then, Yoo contained her excitement about forcing a runoff with Hutt.
Yoo finished ahead of pastor Eddie Anderson (18.7%), Aura Vasquez (14%) and Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer (5.8%).
“I’m very encouraged with the results so far, but I know it’s going to be a challenging race in November,” said Yoo, an attorney specializing in estate planning, trusts and probate. “I’m prepared for that.”
District 10 observers believe Yoo was able to stay within reach of Hutt because the Black vote in the District was divided among three Black candidates – Hutt, Anderson and Jones-Sawyer.
For Jones-Sawyer, whose career includes 25 years of public service with the city of Los Angeles and in Sacramento, his last-place finish was viewed as a major surprise and disappointment to his campaign. A key talking point in his campaign promoted that he was the only “elected public official” running in the race.
Jones-Sawyer, 66, ran for the District 10 seat due to term limits in the state Legislature. His future in public office is uncertain, but Jones-Sawyer was unavailable for comment.
In addition to Jones-Sawyer and Anderson splitting votes that may have gone to Hutt, the changing demographics in District 10 is expected to have an impact on future elections.
At 33%, Black residents in District 10 make up the highest percentage of registered voters in the district, but white residents now make up 16%. According to the Registrar-Recorder’s Office, white residents also make up 12% of the district population, a surge from 10% in 2022.
“If you follow the Yoo signs displayed around the district, they are consistent with people new to the community,” said Robert Sausedo, executive director of Community Build. “Yoo can win by accident if Black voters don’t turn out.
“I don’t think Hutt is in serious trouble. What’s critical for Hutt is that she has to keep campaigning and not treat it like a cakewalk. She’s a known name now, but she’s not considered a political leader yet.”
Hutt was formally appointed by the City Council to take over District 10 in September 2022 after Ridley-Thomas was indicted on federal fraud charges. Though Hutt has an extensive background in political administration, including serving as senior advisor and state director to Kamala Harris when she was a U.S. senator, this is the first time Hutt has had to campaign for public office.
Hutt was active before the primary election, making appearances on social media and community events. The intensity of her outreach indicates she’s not taking Yoo or anything else for granted.
“Heather is well-positioned to win in November now that the other two Black candidates are gone,” said Kerman Maddox, owner of Dakota Communications in Los Angeles and a former campaign advisor to Mayor Bass. “She’s got a coalition of voters. She did very well with whites, Blacks, Latinos and Asians. If she didn’t do well with non-Black voters, she wouldn’t be in this position.”
Yoo said she would welcome an opportunity to debate Hutt before the November election. At the moment, no debate has been scheduled between the two finalists.
Ray Richardson is a contributing writer for The Wave. He can be reached at rayrich55@gmail.com.
