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Politics Apr 11, 2023
Councilwoman Heather Hutt. | Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Heather Hutt via Twitter
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By Jose Herrera
The City Council Tuesday voted to appoint Heather Hutt as councilwoman for the 10th District to fill out the remainder of former Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas’ term, following Ridley-Thomas’ recent conviction on federal corruption charges.
Hutt, who received a burst of applause from supporters in the council chambers when her appointment was finalized on an 11-1 vote, was immediately sworn into her new role.
She then gave brief, emotional remarks, saying, “It is an honor for me to serve the people of the 10th District.”
“I just want to take a moment to thank my colleagues, council president and my friends and family, my staff and the constituents of the Tenth District,” Hutt said, fighting back tears.
Of the 10th District, she said, “It is not an easy place to be, but with all the support that we get here, I’ll continue to do the work. I signed up to do the work and my mom raised us to work for our people. I just want to say thank you.
“And now I’m going to put my glasses on, and lets get to work.”
Despite some vocal opposition at Tuesday’s meeting constituents, including local civil rights leaders, who wanted the city to call for an immediate special election, the council voted to have Hutt fill the seat until December 2024, when the term expires.
Hutt had been District 10’s temporary councilwoman until March 30, when Ridley-Thomas was convicted and the seat became officially vacant.
Subsequently, Council President Paul Krekorian announced his intention for Hutt to take over the job and have the council vote on the matter Tuesday, in its first session back following a two-week recess. Hutt had officially been the seat’s “caretaker” since March 30.
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez was the lone “no” vote — citing a lack of transparency and process with this action.
Krekorian had previously argued against the special-election option — saying it would cost taxpayers around $8 million — and for Hutt’s appointment.
“Heather Hutt has capably represented the district as the temporary appointee and I am confident she will continue to do so as the permanent appointee,” Krekorian said.
“In a matter of months,” he added, “the people of the district will have the opportunity to decide whether they prefer to elect her or a different representative in the regularly scheduled election. By contrast, a special election, which would cost taxpayers almost $8 million, could result in one person serving through the end of this year, a new person taking over in January, and another person starting a year later. That kind of instability, uncertainty and political gamesmanship does not serve the interests of the people of the 10th District.”
Krekorian’s comments came in response to a demand by Earl Ofari Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, for a special election.
“The council must end the effective disenfranchisement and caretaker role it has assigned the thousands of residents of the district since Thomas’ suspension,” Hutchinson said.
“The council has a duty to return representative government to the 10th District — not through an appointee it chooses but a special election that allows the residents, not the City Council, to have a full and total say in who should represent them.”
Numerous public commenters Tuesday reflected similar sentiments, but the council opted for Krekorian’s road map.
A federal jury on March 30 convicted Ridley-Thomas of bribery and conspiracy charges, along with mail and wire fraud, stemming from his time serving on the county Board of Supervisors and accommodations provided to his son by a then-USC dean. He faces years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 14.
Ridley-Thomas had been suspended from City Council in 2021.
Hutt was temporarily appointed by the council to the seat in September 2022. Prior to that, she was serving as caretaker while former Councilman Herb Wesson — who was originally appointed to fill in during Ridley-Thomas’ suspension — was legally barred from performing his duties on the council and eventually forced to resign because of term-limit issues.
Hutt has announced her intention to run for a full term in the 2024 election.
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