Eunisses Hernandez unseated Gil Cedillo. Can she help solve L.A.’s political crisis?
Eunisses Hernandez took over for the late, unlamented Gil Cedillo as the Democratic Party’s candidate for mayor in 2017. She’s won the backing of the L.A. City Council, a potential boon for her run to succeed the council member who’s now in a tough reelection battle, but whether she can turn around the city’s dismal reputation will depend on getting her message out to the community.
The former L.A. County deputy registrar of voters made a name for herself as a community organizer. She’s a former community development administrator who’s worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, was an executive assistant to Gov. Jerry Brown, and served as chairman of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. She’s also one of the founders of the L.A. Alliance for the Arts, and a current member of the boards of the California Recovery Fund and the Eastwood Theater. A veteran of the city’s housing crisis and an advocate for those who can’t afford housing, she’s also a vocal proponent of rent control and affordable housing. And while she won’t have a campaign staff of city consultants, she’ll have a support team comprised of other community leaders, as well – which is especially important, as she’ll undoubtedly face some tough decisions with voters in the coming months.
We caught up with one of her supporters, former L.A. City Council member Joe Buscaino, in his office to talk about her mayoral run, what she’ll probably be up against in a tough election, and the challenge of campaigning while also maintaining a job.
What made you decide to run, and why now?
The reason why I decided to run is more than just an answer to the question of why I was interested. It’s about the kind of mayor I want to be.
In the past, I’ve felt that the mayor of Los Angeles has a very narrow view of the city and what
