LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Progressive challenger Ysabel Jurado took a lead of more than 5,000 votes Tuesday night against incumbent Kevin de León in the first results of the tumultuous and high-profile contest in the race for the District 14 seat on the Los Angeles City Council .

The tenants’ rights attorney received more than 28,000 votes, or about 55%, while de León received more than 23,000 votes, or 45%, according to early results released by the Los County Registrar-Recorder/Clerk. Angels.

The two candidates are vying to represent a district that includes downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno and Northeast Los Angeles.

Their Election Day confrontation comes two years after a leaked recording from 2021 captured De León engaging in a conversation with two other now-former council members and a now-former union leader, during which crude language was used. and racist. It sparked a scandal in which several officials, including President Joe Biden, called for De León to resign.

Meanwhile, Jurado was recently recorded delivering her own controversial statement, responding “Damn the police,” when asked at an Oct. 17 gathering at Cal State LA about her position on police abolition. The question came from a student who is also a member of the De León staff.

De León, whose campaign did not respond to City News Service’s requests for the candidate to be interviewed for this article, also survived four recall attempts.

In the secretly recorded meeting, De León, former Councilman Gil Cedillo, former Council President Nury Martínez and former Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera were heard discussing ways to expand Latino influence /Hispanic by manipulating the redistricting process.

In the tapes, de León compared then-Councilman Mike Bonin’s handling of his son at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade to “when Nury brings his little garden bag or his Louis Vuitton bag.”

He did not intervene when Martínez disparaged Bonin, who is white and openly gay; He also called Bonin’s son, who is black, “that little monkey.”

Additionally, Martinez said of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon: “Fuck that guy… He’s with the blacks.”

De León has apologized several times for his involvement in the conversation, even telling the Los Angeles Times last year that he should have “closed that meeting.”

And since the leak he has remained on the board while working to rehabilitate his image.

He has opened new parks and held food distribution events in his district; spearheaded initiatives to address public safety; provided funding to the LAPD to conduct more foot patrols around commercial corridors in Eagle Rock and other neighborhoods; and led an initiative to combat copper wire theft.

Additionally, he has advocated for safety measures at dangerous intersections and streets in Boyle Heights and other areas; and promoted more affordable housing, including working with Mayor Karen Bass on Operations Inside Safe to reduce encampments.

Jurado, meanwhile, said he was quoting a rap lyric with his “Fuck the police” comment, and has since defended the comments, despite criticism from the LAPD union, acting Chief Dominic Choi, police officers and some other councilors. members. He has also expressed his commitment to public safety.

He also indicated that his comment was not at the level of De León’s recording, calling it “shameful.”

“Los Angeles thrives because of its diversity and its greatness,” Jurado said. “(The tape) was horrible. That’s not who we are, this campaign and the city of Los Angeles”

Jurado told CNS that he entered this race to “change the history of corruption” at City Hall, citing the controversies surrounding former Councilman José Huizar (convicted and now imprisoned for accepting bribes from developers and cheating on his taxes) and from Leon.

“This district has been used and abused and we have total distrust,” Jurado told CNS. “People are asking for honest, responsible and responsive City Council members, and that’s the minimum.”

In other matters, Jurado – a lifelong Highland Park resident, first-time candidate and single mother of a 14-year-old daughter – said she would focus on ensuring residents receive their fair share of city services; and work to reduce homelessness, focusing on Skid Row, the epicenter of the crisis.

He also emphasized working with homeless service providers, community organizations and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents the 2nd District, which encompasses the Skid Row and CD14 neighborhoods.

Additionally, Jurado has expressed concern about the city’s anti-camping law and raids, noting that these policies can make it more difficult to place unhoused residents in temporary or permanent housing.

He said he would focus on public safety through a multi-tiered approach; has discussed concerns related to street lighting and maintenance; and how police officers are overloaded with calls for service that could be handled by unarmed response teams.