Candidates already raising money to take on L.A. City Council incumbent in March

It might be hard to think past the knock-down, drag-out contest in November between gubernatorial hopeful Meg Whitman and Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown. But in Los Angeles, candidates are starting to stake their claim to the March municipal election.

City Councilman Jose Huizar, who is running for a second full term, finds himself likely to face two challengers in a district that stretches from Boyle Heights to Eagle Rock.

One of those potential opponents is Arnulfo Yanez, a resident of Boyle Heights who has promised to focus on jobs and the local economy. “Our community has been neglected,” said Yanez, who works for a nonprofit group in Orange County.

A second challenger is Rudy Martinez, owner of the restaurant Mia Sushi on Eagle Rock Boulevard and a lounge bar on York Boulevard known as Marty’s. Martinez, 42, has purchased, remodeled and resold residential properties, appearing for a time on A&E’s “Flip This House.” Both Yanez and Martinez have filed the paperwork to raise money for a campaign.

Asked why he is running, Martinez said he sees no accountability for the politicians at City Hall. “It’s frustrating when you invest millions of dollars in this community and the basic needs and services we look forward to every day aren’t met,” he said.

Huizar, first elected in 2005, said he was not worried about the two challengers. “I feel good about my record. I feel very comfortable that we’ve delivered on commitments. We’re moving projects forward that haven’t been moved in decades.”

The March election will feature six other council seats, all but one with incumbents seeking reelection. The one open seat is in the San Fernando Valley, where Councilman Greig Smith has already announced plans to step down.

Among the first to report on Martinez’s candidacy was the Los Angeles Garment & Citizen.

-- David Zahniser at Los Angeles City Hall

Comments

[Jazz]

For Yanez to say that his community has been neglected is proof that he is the wrong candidate for the Job, he is coming in with false truth. The Mayor has pumped so much money into that area it is rediculous, and for this individual to say what he is saying if elected will only lead to more scandels.

[Nela]

Huizar has been missing in action in our district for far too long. He was handpicked by our failed mayor to lead the district and he's failed miserably, even going so far as to take credit for Ascot Park. Resdients of the 14th should have known better given Huizar's penchant for doing nothing while at the LAUSD.

Let's look at the other candidates and make a change.

[Why, just senseless]

We need a new type of city council member, not the old guard. The DWP needs to be shook up and other city departments need house cleaning. The city has be run poorly for years.
Let's finally find some great candidates for the council and get rid of the slackers in there now.

[Linda Walsh]

Yeah, I feel it is time to clean house too of some of these guys. I just hope that their replacements do no not have the same ethics of lack of the same1 Just because one is connected to a non profit does not mean that the person is any more honest than the incumbent he is trying to replace. Non profit does not mean there is a lack of profit; it seems to be a misnomer as if you are high in the rank of the organization you can make mega bucks! I do not kno for sure, but it appears that non profits in Highland Park Los Angeles seem to have alot of real estate in their fat little hands!

[Robert]

OMG Boyle Heights is a mess and deteroriated horribly ever since Huizar got into office. He's done nothing for the legal residents and supports anything illegals do. He has the mentality of someone who was not born here and has no pride of our country or city. This is going to hurt his re election. Too many people from all over the district beginning with Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Boyle Heights etc. all want him OUT.

[Fresh NEW Start]

Here we have a candidate that was born, raised, attended our districts public schools, is not a member of the current L.A. City Hall political machine gang, is not a TV reality show character...and will only accept half a salary when elected! Definitely the fresh new start that CD 14 needs! YANEZ has my vote.