A few days before the primary elections for District 9 of the Los Angeles City Council, José Ugarte is emerging as one of the main contenders in a race that will define who will replace outgoing Councilman Curren Price after more than a decade in office.

Of Mexican origin and raised in an immigrant family, Ugarte maintains that the Latino community needs to regain political influence in the Los Angeles City Council, especially after the effects left by the leaked audio scandal in 2022 that involved several Hispanic leaders in the city.

The candidate considers that this episode damaged the public image of Latinos and generated negative perceptions about a community that represents close to half of the population of Los Angeles. For this reason, he assures that one of his main objectives is to rebuild trust between different ethnic groups and strengthen community alliances.

A historic transition in District 9

District 9, located in South Los Angeles, has deep historical relevance. For much of the 20th century it was an important center of the African-American community and the scene of important advances in political representation.

However, demographic changes transformed the area with the arrival of thousands of families from Mexico and Central America. Currently, the Latino population makes up the majority of the district's residents, a reality that is reflected in this year's election, where all six candidates are of Hispanic origin.

Ugarte, who worked for more than a decade alongside Price, has received the support of the current councilor and various political and community organizations. His campaign is also among the strongest in fundraising.

Six candidates seek to succeed Curren Price

In addition to Ugarte, Elmer Roldán, Estuardo Mazariegos, Jorge Hernández Rosas, Jorge Nuño and Martha Sánchez are competing for the position, who have focused their proposals on issues such as affordable housing, support for tenants, economic development and public safety.

The election is especially important because the winner will have participation in the supervision and coordination of projects related to international events that will come to the city, including preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

For Ugarte, the main challenge is to build a shared vision for the district. The candidate affirms that housing, education, health and employment problems affect all communities equally and that the progress of Los Angeles will depend on the ability of its inhabitants to work together, beyond differences of race or origin.

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