The fast-approaching March 2024 primary election for the Los Angeles City Council is shaping up to be an intriguing affair, with seven seats up for election and all of them contested – including a San Fernando Valley seat where several candidates jumped in because Council President Paul Krekorian is termed out.
The L.A. City Clerk’s office on Wednesday evening, Dec. 13 released the final list of candidates who qualified for the March 5 primary election ballot.
Krekorian can’t run again in Council District 2, which includes North Hollywood and other parts of the east San Fernando Valley, opening the door to a competitive race with high interest from candidates and voters alike.
And the Council District 12 race in the West San Fernando Valley is also generating buzz, with current Councilmember John Lee contesting allegations that he violated city ethics rules. Lee will face off against a single competitor, Serena Oberstein, former president of the city’s Ethics Commission.
With only two candidates in the District 12 race, it’s possible that whoever captures the most votes in March won’t have to face a runoff in the November general election. The only possible surprise would be if a write-in candidate got enough votes in March to prevent one of the two candidates from getting more than 50% — the threshold needed to win outright in the March primary.
Voters in L.A.’s eastside District 14 — represented by Kevin de León — and voters in District 10 — which stretches from Central L.A. to parts of South L.A. and is represented by Heather Hutt — will choose from crowded fields, including the incumbents and numerous challengers.
De León, seeking reelection, faces seven challengers, including two state lawmakers. He’s expected to face criticisms from opponents for participating in a 2021 backroom meeting with two other councilmembers and a union leader, who, during a racist-filled conversation, discussed how to redraw L.A. City Council…
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