Looking ahead to the 2024 general election to choose the leaders of our communities, the Korea Daily is announcing endorsements and weighing in on the candidates and propositions.
Since 2020, the Korea Daily has been endorsing candidates from all walks of life through the Candidate Evaluation Committee to ensure that politicians make and follow through on good promises and that ultimately, the votes of Korean American voters will make a difference.
From the candidates who made it through the primary, the Korea Daily selected candidates who have produced meaningful policies and contributed to the Korean American community.
Despite the endorsements, the Korea Daily will continue to provide unbiased coverage.
6. Grace Yoo, LA City Council District 10
The Korea Daily officially endorses candidate Grace Yoo in the race for Los Angeles City Council District 10, home to the largest Koreatown in the United States.
District 10 has long been a reflection of the potential for political corruption and unilateral power within the city of Los Angeles.
Once a prominent district that produced influential figures like former Mayor Tom Bradley and former City Councilmember Nate Holden, it has also been tarnished by scandal, with former Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas ousted amid bribery and corruption charges. Since 1963, the district has been predominantly represented by Black politicians.
Grace Yoo has been running for District 10 since 2015, but her candidacy has been largely overlooked by City Hall. In her first campaign against former City Council President Herb Wesson, she garnered 29% of the vote, and in 2020, she gained 39.4% against Mark Ridley-Thomas.
However, when Ridley-Thomas resigned after being indicted, the City Council appointed Heather Hutt, who had no prior connection to the district’s election, to fill the seat. The justification was the high cost of holding an election.
Monica Rodriguez, Councilmember for District 7, was the only voice in the council advocating for a special election, calling the appointment a violation of democratic principles. Hutt has since announced her candidacy for the seat, with City Hall power seemingly supporting her campaign.
This year, Yoo is running again, challenging the incumbent appointee. Despite limited resources, she has managed to raise funds through grassroots efforts, with contributions in the $100 to $200 range, sometimes even outpacing her opponent’s financial backing.
Yoo’s platform focuses on eradicating corruption in City Hall, stabilizing the local economy, addressing homelessness, and prioritizing crime prevention. She emphasizes that her candidacy is not about her identity as a Korean American but about her dedication to serving the community.
Yoo has garnered endorsements from prominent current and former officials, including U.S. Representative Mark Takano, former U.S. Representative Mike Honda, LA Unified School District Board Member Jackie Goldberg, former California State Treasurer John Chiang, and former LAPD Chief and City Councilmember Bernard Parks.
For campaign updates and volunteer opportunities, visit her campaign website at graceforla.com.
[Candidate Evaluation Committee]
