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In a stunning political upset that has sent shockwaves through Los Angeles politics, tenants rights attorney Ysabel Jurado has declared victory over incumbent Kevin de Leon in the hotly contested race for Los Angeles City Council District 14. The declaration came Thursday as vote tallies showed Jurado leading with 56% of the vote (33,350 votes) compared to de Leon’s 44% (26,442 votes).
A Campaign Marked by Controversy
The race, which gained national attention in recent weeks, represents a significant shift in local politics and comes after months of intense campaigning from both candidates. De Leon, whose political career has been marred by multiple controversies, faced his strongest challenge yet in Jurado, who had previously edged him out in the primary by a narrow margin of 25% to 24%.
Today, I am humbled to officially declare victory in the race for Los Angeles City Council District 14. This win is not mine—it belongs to our community,
Jurado announced via Instagram on Thursday, comparing her campaign to the resilient orchid, her campaign’s symbol.
Late-Campaign Drama
The race took an unexpected turn in late October when Jurado made controversial comments about law enforcement during a student forum at CSU Los Angeles. When responding to a question about police funding, Jurado stated,
What’s the rap verse? F— the police, that’s how I see them. The city’s budget is broken, with the LAPD funded more than it’s actually ever been funded before.
This statement prompted an immediate response from the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), which launched an aggressive advertising campaign against Jurado. Despite predictions that these comments would derail her campaign, early voting patterns appear to have worked in her favor.
Historical Significance
If the results hold, this would mark a historic defeat for de Leon, who has never lost a reelection bid in his political career, despite unsuccessful runs for U.S. Senate in 2018 and Los Angeles Mayor in 2022. De Leon’s tenure has been plagued by numerous controversies, including:
- Allegations of illegal ghost voting in the Assembly
- Ethics concerns over voting on bills benefiting his supporters
- Controversial remarks about rural California
- A racism scandal that led to the resignation of two other Council members
Looking Ahead
Political analysts suggest that while Jurado’s victory appears likely, the impact of her progressive agenda might be limited. LA County pollster Manny Rodriguez notes,
Jurado likely won’t be able to do anything there. Bass can override a lot of things, and the Council knows how important public safety is. They don’t want to be known as the next San Francisco.
The Role of Early Voting
Experts attribute Jurado’s surprising lead to the significant role of early voting in this election.
What likely happened was that so many people voted early before her remarks, and they couldn’t switch them as they were locked in,
Rodriguez explained to reporters.
What’s Next
As of Friday morning, de Leon has not conceded the race, and official election observers have yet to call it definitively. The next batch of results is expected by 4 P.M. Friday, which could provide more clarity on the final outcome.
Regardless of the final tally, this race highlights the growing political divisions in Los Angeles and raises questions about the future direction of city policy, particularly regarding law enforcement funding and community development in District 14.
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