Key Takeaways:
– Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León’s efforts in an election campaign did not secure him a second term.
– The council member was part of an audio leak scandal that painted a negative picture of him.
– De León’s campaign focused heavily on his Latino roots and targeted the Latino-majority neighborhoods.
– His opponent, Ysabel Jurado, became the first Filipino American on the council despite criticisms from De León’s supporters.
– De León’s career saw several highs, reminiscing his contributions in the state’s climate change and clean energy legislation.
– His inability to cede power, however, led to a loss in the Latino power base in the council.
The Landscape of Los Angeles Politics
Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León sported his blue Dodgers jacket, hugged, shook hands, and immersed himself completely in the crowd just two days before the election. His campaign efforts were in full swing. Amid hundreds of baseball fans, he took to the stage, cracked jokes, led chants, and put his charisma on full display at a dedication ceremony for the murals of the late Dodgers ace Fernando Valenzuela.
Campaigning strategies such as using neon yellow vested crews emblazoned with “Kevin de León Cleanup Crew’” and handing out water bottles became his tool. He even claimed the murals to be “his gift” to the people, attempting to sway the crowd in his favor.
The Fall of Kevin de León
However, De León’s tenacious campaign wasn’t enough to win the voters. Despite his campaigning preening and hobnobbing, an audio leak scandal tainting his image, along with his refusal to step down, led to his downfall. The audio leak exposed him scoffing at Oaxacans, critiquing political opponents, and strategizing to control Black political power in LA for the propagation of Latino power.
Despite warnings of the impending loss and increasing calls for his resignation, he held his ground and proceeded with his campaign. However, the results reflected his controversial image within the voter base, with De León conceding defeat to his opponent, tenant’s rights attorney Ysabel Jurado.
The Rise of Ysabel Jurado
Jurado’s victory, being the first Filipino American on the council, led to frustration among the Latino political class. With Latinos making up nearly half of LA’s population, only four seats on the 15-member council will be represented by Latinos after De León’s departure, causing discomfort among the community.
De León’s unsuccessful “Latino Power” campaign strategy required serious revamping. In contrast, Jurado’s ground campaign resonated better with the Eastside residents, considering her immigrant background and struggles that paralleled theirs. This native narrative helped her secure 56% votes against De León’s 44%.
A Look Back at Kevin de León’s Career
While his political career ended on a low note, De León’s significant contributions to state politics would remain immortalized. The Guatemalan immigrant’s child ascended from a challenging upbringing in San Diego to become the first Latino leader of the state Senate in 130 years. His significant achievements in passing important legislation on climate change and making California a sanctuary state underline his powerful political journey.
However, one will also remember him as the council member who clung on for too long, eventually leading the loss of the Latino political base in the council. The council member seemed aware of his dwindling time in power, choosing to linger on the stage rather than mingle with the crowd at the ceremony he sponsored. His ostensible audacious nature to bask in his final moments of fame marked the dramatic end of his career. His workers cleared the streets while their boss spoke, signifying the time had come for him to bow down from his political position.