September 22nd 2023.
Kevin de León, a disgraced Los Angeles city councilman, is running for re-election despite a racism scandal that caused President Joe Biden and a number of African-American organizations to call for his resignation.
The scandal began in 2022, when a recording leaked of a private meeting between de León, Council President Nury Martinez, and two other Latino Democrats. In the recording, the council members were heard using racist language and a plan to keep their political power at the expense of Black voters.
In response, de León issued a statement saying he was ready to be re-elected. He claims he has made “unprecedented strides” in his district, including parts of downtown Los Angeles, and has been focusing on solutions for the city’s homeless crisis and the revitalization of its parks and public spaces.
De León has also said that his constituents have had his back throughout the scandal. “When a lot of people that I called my friends and allies turned away from me, my constituents had my back,” de León said, according to Politico. “I understood in a deeper way the relationship that I had with my community and how that motivates and drives me. That’s why I’m still here. And that’s why I’m running.”
Despite de León’s claims, other legislators are calling for his resignation and have vowed to challenge him in the primary election in March 2024. State Assemblyman Miguel Santiago released a statement urging de León not to run again, saying “the people want change.”
The scandal has taken its toll on de León, despite his refusal to step down from his $230,000 a year position. He has been accused of failing his district and has been criticized for his involvement in the meeting.
It remains to be seen whether de León will be re-elected, but the primary election in March 2024 is sure to be a hotly contested race.
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