CD 6 Special Election: Los Angeles candidates respond to 5 key questions

Ballots are officially headed to voters for the LA City Council District 6 special election that will decide a new council representative for the district.

It’s been nearly five months since San Fernando Valley residents in District 6 have had an elected official represent them on the Los Angeles City Council due to the resignation of former Council President Nury Martinez last October.

The April 4 vote will give residents in Arleta, Lake Balboa, North Hills, North Hollywood, Panorama City, Sun Valley and Van Nuys a chance to choose between seven candidates: Isaac Kim, Imelda Padilla, Rose Grigoryan, Marisa Alcaraz, Antoinette Scully, Douglas Sierra and Marco Santana.

The editorial board at Southern California News Group sent out surveys to the seven candidates, all of whom responded, to get a sense of where they stand on the issues. Here’s a roundup of what they had to say about some of the most pressing issues facing the district:

Economic Growth 

Our editorial board asked what candidates would do to promote economic growth in the district and the city as a whole. Here’s what they had to say.

Homelessness 

Our editorial board asked if those running for the seat support or oppose the March 2024 ballot measure related to hotel development and the use of active hotel properties as nightly homeless housing. Here are the responses. 

The board also raised a recent poll by Los Angeles Daily News that revealed more than half (58%) of Los Angeles residents saying the city is headed in the wrong direction, with majorities citing a perception of rising crime and homelessness. Asked what they think about the poll, this is what candidates said.

Special issues 

Giving candidates an opportunity to speak broadly about the issues most pertinent to their agenda, the editorial board asked what three ordinances they would enact to help the district. See what they had to say here. 

Nury Martinez

The editorial board asked candidates to reflect on the performance of their potential predecessor, asking how they would evaluate Nury Martinez’s tenure on the council, before the leaked audio. Here are the responses. 

Related Articles