Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León said in an interview that he plans to seek re-election.
“When a lot of people that I called my friends and allies turned away from me, my constituents had my back,” De León told 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.”
De León was one of three council members heard on tape containing racist remarks that was leaked on Reddit in October 2022. In the tape, then-City Council President Nury Martinez made racially charged comments about councilmember Mike Bonin's son. In the tape, de León compared the child to a Louis Vuitton handbag.
After the audio leaked, Martinez stepped down as council president and then resigned as a council member. Then-council member Gil Cedillo was also heard on the tapes; however, he stayed through til’ the end of this term in December.
Despite apologizing for his remarks, De León said in an interview with Noticiero Univision, “No, I will not resign because there is a lot of work ahead.”
In a letter to Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian, de León asked to be excused from Council meetings and added that he would be taking up “professional sensitivity training.” Krekorian rejected his request.
He returned to City Council chambers in early December 2022.
Assembly members Miguel Santiago and Wendy Carrillo are also running for de León's seat.
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