The Southeast L.A. community needs big changes, and elections can play a part. Because the vast majority of our current representatives are either clueless or corrupt, we need new representation.

President: de la Cruz, Stein, or West

Progressive/left voters who are frustrated with the rematch of Biden vs. Trump have three major alternatives this year. Dr. Jill Stein is virtually assured the Green Party nomination, while Dr. Cornel West and Claudia de Cruz are still competing for the Peace and Freedom Party nomination. Any of the three activists would be an outstanding, pro-people President. Vote for whichever of the three most resonates with you. 

US Senate: Barbara Lee

Long established as one of the most progressive voices inside the Democratic Party, Barbara Lee famously was the only Congressperson to vote NO to the invasion of Afghanistan. With a combination of the corporate Adam Schiff spending heavily on TV ads, Orange County liberal Katie Porter attempting to look progressive on Facebook ads, and no non-Democrat leftist option on the ballot, a vote for Lee is a vote for the most pro-people major name in the race. Working class Californians would be better off with Lee than either Schiff or Porter.

US Congress District 34: Aaron Reveles

Congressional District 34 is just barely in SELA (Southern East LA is considered part of the Gateway Cities). Here, the only truly pro-people candidate is socialist candidate Aaron Reveles, a public school teacher running under the Peace and Freedom Party, as well as the Movement for New Democracy Coalition. Reveles’ platform includes housing as a human right, queer and trans liberation, and tax justice for working class families. A vote for Reveles is a vote for socialism and against the failed Democratic establishment of East/Southeast LA.

US Congress District 38: Write-in

Congresswoman Linda Sanchez is a standard corporate Democrat. She has not responded to numerous calls by her constituents to call for a ceasefire. The only candidates to run against her are Republican, virtually ensuring her reelection. We suggest a protest vote via the write-in option. 

US Congress District 42: Joaquin Beltran

Congressman Robert Garcia is the only SELA Congressperson to be facing Democratic Party challengers. Joaquin Beltran and Nicole Lopez both ran when Garcia was elected in 2022. In some respects, they are similar on paper, putting out bold progressive ideas on their websites and social media. Yet, we suggest a vote for Beltran because he is far more vocal within the community organizing space, leading protests for years before becoming a candidate, and putting himself on record at numerous public comment meetings. Lopez’s campaign is far more traditional, with Lopez presenting herself as a candidate rather than as an outspoken community activist. (Our opinion at SELA Report is that there should be a great deal of overlap between the conduct of activists and the conduct of candidates/elected officials, which is what leads us to recommend Beltran.) 

US Congress District 44: Write-in

Congresswoman Nanette is also a standard corporate Democrat. She refuses to call for a ceasefire, even after meetings with constituents. The only candidates to run against her are Republican, virtually ensuring her reelection. We suggest a protest vote via the write-in option. 

California State Assembly District 52: Shannel Pittman

Like Congressional District 34, this CA State Assembly District is just barely in SELA. Yet, it is important that Shannel Pittman, a national diversity cochair with the Green Party, is the only third party candidate. Like Reveles, she is running in the Movement for New Democracy Coalition. In a sea of Democratic Party candidates, a Green Party candidate like Pittman, running for Socialized Healthcare, Landback, and Housing as Human Right, truly stands out. Vote Pittman to smash the Democratic Party establishment.

California State Assembly District 62: Maria Estrada

With former Speaker Anthony Rendon termed out, this District does not have an incumbent running for reelection. The corporate Democrat candidate, Juan Luis Solache, has been in elected office in Lynwood for decades, and has served as President of the local Chamber of Commerce in Lakewood. He has been accused of lying to the community in relation to the term limits Measure R, and of bullying his political opponents. His only Democratic opponent, grassroots candidate Maria Estrada, ran three times before (against Rendon), coming up shockingly close to the pro-corporate Speaker. A vote for Estrada is vote for progressive/left representation in Sacramento. 

California State Assembly District 64: Write-in

Blanca Pacheco, the former Downey Mayor accused of corruption is not a pro-people politician. She proclaimed her opposition to rent control during her years on the Downey City Council. Because the only candidate to run against her is a Republican, she will likely win reelection. We suggest a write-in vote for community members who would better serve the District. 

LA County District Attorney: Dan Kapelovitz

A criminal defense attorney, Dan Kapelovitz is a Green Party member, who has devoted his professional life to fighting for people caught up in the injustice system. He supports treating crime at the roots, and does not support sentencing enhancements which put more people in jail for longer periods of time. He is a defender of the First Amendment and animal rights, and would be more progressive than George Gascon. Vote Kapelovitz. 

LA County Board of Supervisors District 4: Write-in

Janice Hahn recently advocated for leaving millions of SELA tenants still recovering from the pandemic without much in the way of protections. She refused to push rent control County-wide, telling the small cities they should do it themselves. This is not the conduct of a leader. Yet, her main opposition, former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, is terrible in his own ways. If he were elected, more people would become involved in the political process and he would get removed in the 2028 cycle (or earlier), but he would still do a lot of damage. Nonetheless, a vote for Hahn is a vote for the failed status quo. We suggest a protest vote via the write-in option. 

LAUSD Board District 5: Victorino Guitierrez

With Jackie Goldberg retiring, it’s time for a new voice to represent District 5 on LAUSD. The two big spenders in the race are Fidencio Gallardo (Bell City Council Member) and Graciela Ortiz (Huntington Park City Council Member). We recommend a vote for an outsider to the political establishment, Victorino Guitierrez, who has 40 years as a teacher and high school Principal. Guitierrez is not compromised by unions, charters, or special interests. Because he is familiar with the needs of students, families, and schools, he will make an excellent Board Member.

Paramount City Council: Cuarenta, de Leon, Gomez

There are 3 open seats on the Paramount City Council. 3 pro-corporate incumbents are running for re-election. The challengers are Yesenia Cuarenta, an educator and member of the Paramount School Board, who is known for being outspoken in favor of low-income families, recently advocating for affordable housing and protections for families living in mobile home parks. Jose De Leon is a small business owner who owns his own mechanic shop in Paramount. He has been outspoken especially on air quality issues for over a decade; a progressive advocate and native of Guatemala, he would bring an immigrant perspective to the Council. Gomez, a university administrator, is a previous member of the Paramount School Board, where she earned a reputation for advocating for greater transparency and programs to empower at-risk students.