Hutt Vs. Yoo Battle for CD10 Seat
While Heather Hutt enters Tuesday's Election Day as the incumbent City Councilwoman for the 10th District, voters will actually be getting their first chance to weigh in on her candidacy, after she was appointed by the council last year to fill out Mark Ridley-Thomas' unexpired term following his conviction on federal corruption charges.
Tuesday's runoff will pit Hutt against attorney Grace Yoo, who previously challenged Herb Wesson for the seat in 2015, and then Ridley-Thomas in 2020.
In a field of five candidates, Hutt prevailed in the March primary with 37.78% of the vote, while Yoo claimed second place with 23.11%.
The Tenth District encompasses the neighborhoods of Arlington Heights, Koreatown, Mid-City, Palms, South Robertson, West Adams and Wilshire Center.
While supporters hailed Hutt's 2023 appointment following Ridley-Thomas' conviction stemming from his time on the Board of Supervisors, critics argued the council should have called a special election for CD10 voters to choose their representative.
Voters will now get that chance on Tuesday.
In an interview with City News Service, Hutt said she hopes to secure a full four-year term and continue representing a district that's been home to her family for almost 100 years.
She said her aim is to "give everybody the best quality of life as possible."
Hutt described the Tenth District as a tapestry, with cultural destinations such as Little Ethiopia, Koreatown, Little Bangladesh, the Oaxacan Corridor, Mid-City and Leimert Park, among others.
"These different communities with all their value in the rich culture are something that I truly understand, and I'm here to represent all of it," Hutt said.
Hutt touted her efforts on assisting the unhoused population, noting an estimated 12% drop in homelessness due various operations.
She supports building more affordable housing, and the city's anti-camping law. But she pointed out that camping arrests in her district are much lower compared to other council districts.
According to the Hutt, her office is finding more women and children unhoused and living in their cars. She told CNS she is willing to use whatever tools possible to get people housed and provide them with the resources they need to get back on their feet.
The councilwoman also highlighted her work as chair of the council's Transportation Committee, and leading efforts to reduce speeding.
"I'm about pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, and especially around our schools," Hutt said.
Hutt previously served as the statewide director to then-U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, and served as the chief of staff to former Councilman Wesson.
Meanwhile, Yoo, in a recent sit-down with CNS, said she is running again because she "saw the corruption," Yoo added.
She told CNS that regular people want the government working for them, and want city services in a timely fashion.
She's an advocate for affordable housing and clearing encampments; taking strong measures to prevent street takeovers; and wants to ensure street lights are properly working following the recent rash of copper-wire thefts.
Yoo said she wants more cameras in her district to combat some of these challenges — and that, with her background in grant writing, she'd be able to secure the funds to do so.
Both candidates are concerned about environmental justice for the 10th District.
Hutt said she has plans to expand the tree canopy, among other projects, in her district.
Yoo argued the city has not done enough, citing the Murphy Site, an oil field in Jefferson Park, that's been "spewing out pollutants for years."
Shutting down the oil site would be something she would work toward, Yoo said.
"I'm running because I know I can do good for more people," Yoo said.
"Public policy has always been important, and I used to believe that elected officials made decisions for the good of all, and now we're finding out that is not true when you have three of 15 council members who've been convicted or pleaded guilty," Yoo said.
Hutt, however, said her opponent is not her biggest challenge — but rather, the challenge is in bringing resources to the people of the 10h District.
Whether casting a vote for either candidate, Hutt encouraged residents to get to the polls or send in a mail-in-ballot.
"(Voting) is such a big deal," Hutt said. "I have a brother and a sister, and they have kids, and all nine of us were together, and we voted after dinner. It's a thing for us. Make (voting) a thing, tell people to make it a thing. If you don't want to do it by yourself, make it a thing."
