The 2024 elections are fast approaching and L.A.’s Council District 10 is garnering lots of attention from potential candidates.
Last week, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer announced his intention to seek the position and some political pundits predict that Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and perennial candidate Grace Yoo will soon join the fray.
However, the individual receiving the most grassroots support is the existing officeholder, Councilmember Heather Hutt, the first woman to represent CD 10, the only Black woman on the current City Council and only the third Black woman to serve on the Council in the history of the city.
Since being appointed as the CD 10 representative in August 2022, Hutt hit the ground running, promptly responding to constituent concerns and ensuring that the residents of the district receive all of the services that they are entitled to have. As the former caretaker and chief of staff, she was familiar with the area’s issues and utilized her knowledge of government combined with her strong community relationships to build an effective and efficient administration.
Hutt’s actions have pleased many in the district and led to several people voicing their support for her to remain the CD 10 representative on the L.A. City Council.
“Heather Hutt has earned the opportunity to be the permanent councilperson for Council District 10. Her stellar career, her current accomplishments, and her passion for serving people makes her the best choice for this position,” insisted Valerie Lynne Shaw, a resident of Leimert Park and former City of Los Angeles Commissioner.
Dolores Spears, a 28-year resident of CD 10, shared similar comments, describing Hutt as doing “a phenomenal job in representing the residents of CD 10 at City Council meetings.”
“Heather has been highly visible in the district, volunteering, engaging with and hearing the concerns of constituents. Also, Heather did not have a learning curve coming in as a councilmember as she was already experienced as the district representative for retired Senator Isadore Hall and for former U.S. Senator and now Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris,” explained Spears.
“I believe Heather Hutt would continue her path in doing an excellent job in representing our district as an elected member of City Council District 10. I would take great pride in voting for her in 2024,” she added.
More backing for Hutt remaining as the councilmember was voiced by Joy Atkinson, who lives in the district, been active as a civic leader and served as a City Commissioner under multiple mayors.
“It is my pleasure and honor to endorse my long-time friend, Heather Hutt, for election to the Los Angeles City Council, 10th District. No one knows the district like Heather, a life-resident of this incredible, diverse district,” she said.
“As a staff person on the city, state, and national level, no one knows the ins-and-outs of government like Heather. She will bring resources, leadership ability, and a love of her home district like no one else,” declared Atkinson.
Agreeing with Atkinson’s summation, Charisse Bremond-Weaver, president/CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade, stressed, “The 10th Council District deserves a leader and champion to advocate, fight and serve the constituents with equity, care and solutions. I’m proud to support Councilmember Heather Hutt in continuing the work she has started in the 10th Council District.”
The confidence that people have in Hutt’s ability and dedication to CD 10 is inspired by her long record of public service. She previously served as the state director for then-Senator Kamala Harris – the first Black state director in California’s history – and as district director for former State Senator Isadore Hall. In these positions, she has been successful in building coalitions and working closely with groups in support of civil rights, economic equity and social justice.
“I’ve spent my whole life in public service, working on behalf of my neighbors and helping them with their needs,” Hutt said when she was appointed the CD 10 representative last year.
“I hope to continue to be a voice that the residents of the 10th District can depend on,’ shared Hutt, who will formally announce her candidacy on Friday, February 24, during a press event held at the L.A. Sentinel.
Hutt filled the vacant seat left by Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, who 10 months into his new term was suspended from office in October by the Council after a 20-count indictment was filed in Los Angeles federal court for federal bribery and conspiracy charges stemming from his time serving on the County Board of Supervisors. Ridley-Thomas has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
