The race for Los Angeles Council District 1 - covering parts of Northeast Los Angeles including Highland Park, Lincoln Heights, Angelino Heights, and Chinatown - is a campaign between a compassionate, justice-centered newcomer Eunisses Hernandez running an entirely grassroots campaign and incumbent Gil Cedillo cashing in favors from developers, oil companies, and the Chamber of Commerce. Because this is a two person, race it will be decided in June.
Eunisses Hernandez is the best choice for Council District 1. Eunnises has devoted her entire career to serving the people of Los Angeles with a bold vision for justice. She co-chaired Measure J, the successful ballot measure to move millions in local tax revenue to community reinvestment and alternatives to incarceration. She was a leader in the JusticeLA coalition to stop LA County's $3.5 billion jail plan. She founded La Defensa, a nonprofit that advocates for alternatives to incarceration in LA and restorative justice. She has won victories for LA that people said were not possible. She pairs her bold vision the ability to build relationships and organize for success.
Eunisses is running now to represent the people of CD 1 and be their advocate in City Council. She believes in creating public safety by investing in communities, providing resources for mental health services, public healthcare, education, and workforce development. She knows that we need to keep people housed by investing in affordable housing, particularly in a district where 70% of residents are renters and a growing number are experiencing homelessness. And she is committed to transitioning from fossil fuels and increasing public transportation to save our environment.
Incumbent Gil Cedillo has stood in the way of progress on every one of these issues. He has repeatedly voted for ordinances that would criminalize homelessness rather than investing in affordable housing (which is not in the interests of his wealthy funders). He has diverted billions of dollars to the police while community programs remain underfunded. And, he has taken money from oil and gas companies that have an interest in maintaining LA's reliance on fossil fuels. He will not lead LA forward.
Eunisses would be a phenomenal progressive voice on the LA City Council and her race will be decided in a matter of weeks. More than any other race on City Council, we need to volunteer and donate to get her over the finish line!
