The debate between Councilman Kevin de León and attorney Ysabel Jurado regarding the election for the 14th district of the Los Angeles Council, allowed hundreds of residents of the Lincoln Heights neighborhood not only to learn about their positions regarding the problems they face but also to contrast the two.
While Jurado is very articulate and has very good intentions, Kevin de León’s more than 20 years of experience took her by storm.
Jurado has the advantage of being a fresh face in local politics and is working hard to win, knocking on thousands of doors.
However, during the debate he revealed his lack of experience and knowledge on key issues.
She used her life story to her advantage, mentioning several times that she is a single mother, a hard worker, the daughter of undocumented Filipino immigrants, even throwing in a few words of Spanish because let’s not forget that nearly 70% of the residents of District 14 are Latino while the ethnic group she represents is around 13%.
Ysabel failed to clarify why she is in favor of abolishing and defunding the Los Angeles Police Department, one of the most heartfelt demands of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), an organization of which she is a member.
That would have been very important because she now boasts the political support of figures such as supervisor Hilda Solís, the Federation of Trade Unions and the Democratic Party that are part of the establishment Democrat who goes against the precepts of the DSA.
It also made no sense for her to constantly repeat the supposed achievements that councilors Eunisses Hernández and Hugo Soto have achieved in their districts. It is fine that they are her political godfathers, and she should be very grateful to them, but those who should evaluate the work of Hernández and Soto are the voters of her district.
In the debate, De León expressed the results he has had not only as a councilman but as a senator and assemblyman. He seemed confident at all times. His past as leader of the California Senate, where he went through tough negotiations not only with Democrats but also with Republicans, makes him a tough nut to crack; and the truth is that he has put in the work in the district, which is why many residents are happy with his work.
His weak point is the racist audio scandal in which he was involved and which was made public in October 2022.
The results of the 14th District election will teach us many lessons.
Now the voters will have the final say in November: Kevin or Ysabel?
Another debate
It was the one that Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and his challenger, former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman, held via Zoom on Wednesday, September 11.
Gascón defended his record, saying that contrary to criticism that he is too soft and tolerant of crime, under his leadership his office has prosecuted more than 100,000 violent and serious crimes.
Hochman accused Gascón of experimenting with public safety and failing, saying it is time to end this extreme social experiment.
To be fair, Gascón has made a U-turn in toughening his policies against crime, in an attempt to undermine the credibility of those who seek to oust him.
The races for Los Angeles County District Attorney and for Los Angeles Council District 14 are the most important at the local level.
What’s next for Garcetti?
Many have begun to wonder what the future holds for former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the US ambassador to India, if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidency in November.
Will she continue as ambassador? The question arises from the fact that the two are not political allies or close friends; and also because we must not forget that Kamala has strong roots in India, since her mother comes from that Asian country. Hence, it follows that the vice president, if she wins, will want to name her own ambassador to India.
So don’t doubt that next year we’ll see Garcetti back in his beloved city of Los Angeles. He won’t be short of work, although it’s not necessarily the job he’d like.