LOS ANGELES (KNX) – Tuesday marks the last day for residents in Los Angeles City Council District 6 to vote for a new representative.
The former representative, Nury Martinez, resigned in October following her involvement in a secretly recorded racist audio tape that was leaked online.
Seven candidates are currently running to take Martinez’s seat and spoke with KNX News about why they should be elected.
If none of the candidates receive the majority vote, a runoff will be held in June between the two top finishers.
Marisa Alcaraz
Alcaraz, deputy chief of staff and environmental policy director to L.A. Councilmember Curren Price, told KNX News she feels she is the best candidate because of her experience at City Hall, including championing policies such as the $15 Minimum Wage and Hero Pay.
“Experience does count for something,” she said.
If elected, she said she would like to reengage residents in the Valley with their city government.
“I’d like to bring back city council meetings to Van Nuys and reactivate that civic center for the community,” she said.
Rose Grigoryan
Grigoryan, a business owner and a former journalist for an Armenian American TV station, told KNX News she wanted to serve her community on a higher level.
“We have to take care of the community,” she said. “We have to take all the issues that our personal wants and bring the change because I see a lot of potential in District Six.”
She said if she is elected, she is making affordable housing one of her top priorities.
“And I have specific vision on that like working with developers, offering them some incentives,” she said.
Issac Kim
Kim, a small business owner, told KNX News if he is elected, he wants to redefine the role of a council member.
“And that's really to be less political as it has been and less of a selfish, political gain type of thing, but really a better, more caring, helpful neighbor,” he said.
He believes he is the best fit because of his ability to be accountable to his work.
“I'm a problem solver,” Kim said. “I've had to rely on myself for my business and pushing that forward no matter what obstacle comes in our way.”
Imelda Padilla
Padilla, a community organizer, told KNX News her “unmatchable work ethic” make her the best candidate.
“I truly believe that city council is one of the public service positions where you need to have strong work ethic because it affects everyone,” she said.
If elected, she said she would be focusing on homelessness and the people impacted.
“So that it also makes me a better council member to know, ‘all right, in this district, people that falling into homelessness,’” she said. “I’m noticing the trend of it's mostly seniors or it's a lot of veterans because the more we know, the more we can go after specific funding to build around that need.”
Marco Santana
Santana, Director of Engagement for L.A. Family Housing and an officer of two Democratic clubs in the San Fernando Valley, told KNX News that his friends’ encouragement for him to run gave him the idea.
“Why not someone like myself?” he said. “It doesn't have to be me, but someone like myself who's continued to always give back.”
He said if he’s elected, he wants to focus on getting people off the streets.
“…and into treatment, into housing, into shelter, and that we plan them to have longevity of being housed,” he said.
Antoinette Scully
Scully, a justice educator and activist told KNX News that the City Hall scandal prompted her to run.
“I think what the council district needs is someone who can navigate the racial harm and pain that's been enacted because of these tapes and because of this resignation and also uplifts the next best steps,” she said.
She said if she’s elected, she would make the homelessness crisis one of her main priorities.
“I've been trying really hard to talk about homelessness as a community effort and compassionate solutions to homelessness, which includes the kinds of programs and resources that unhoused folks actually want,” she said.
Douglas Sierra
Sierra, a business consultant, told KNX News he considers himself a different kind of candidate, which makes him the best person to fill Martinez’s seat.
“(I’m) not part of like any of the political clubs,” he said. “This is not something that I have ever thought about, but I think it's needed.
If he’s elected, he said his priorities include the housing crisis and economic prosperity.
“A lot of the job are leaving the valley,” he said. “They're leaving and then they're leaving California. The good jobs are leaving and I want to bring them back and create incentives.”
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Related
