Imelda Padilla declares victory in LA City Council District 6 race

LOS ANGELES - Imelda Padilla declared victory Friday in the race for the vacant Los Angeles City Council seat representing the central and northeast San Fernando Valley. The seat has been vacant since former City Council President Nury Martinez, who previously represented Council District 6, resigned in disgrace last year.

Padilla, a community advocate, said she is “ready to serve as the next councilwoman for the communities of CD 6.” According to the o ce of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk she leads her rival Marisa Alcaraz by more than 1,580 votes, and is the anticipated winner of Tuesday’s special election to fill the vacancy left by Martinez in the seat.

During her campaign to win the seat, Padilla won numerous endorsements including the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Daily News, Outgoing Assembly Speaker Anthony Ren- don, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, The Chambers of Commerce of Hollywood and Greater LA, along with the SEIU Union, United Auto Workers, Local of the Plumbers & Fitters Union, the Los Angeles County Business Federation, and one of the largest Latino democratic clubs in the region Avance, among other groups and individuals.

An LGBTQ+ ally and advocate for equality, she was also endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats, and other LGBTQ+ political leaders. On Harvey Milk Day, May , Padilla issued a statement that read: “For all my friends, family, neighbors and constituents of the lgbtq community know Im here to be your friend and ally. Your rights, are human rights! I’m excited to work together on improving health, safety, and economic outcomes for lgbtq individuals and all of LosAngeles.”

BRODY LEVESQUE

Assemblymember Essayli, one of those who welcomed Grenell, was the author of an anti-trans youth bill that would have required California public schools to Out trans kids to their parents or guardians. The bill was killed in committee.

Responding to Wiener, Grenell told Wiener: “ ou are an apologist for pedophilia & child abuse - and you undermine American values.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that Grenell’s visit to the state Capitol came on the same day that the California Assembly approved ACA , which, if approved by voters, would repeal a section of the state constitution that states that marriage is between a man and woman.

BRODY LEVESQUE