Los Angeles’ 10th city council district is once again in new hands following months of drama. With a 12-2 vote on Sept. 2, the council appointed Heather Hutt to replace indicted Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas. She is the first Black woman to serve the district.
Hutt was chief of staff to Herb Wesson, who was appointed to the District 10 seat after Ridley-Thomas’ indictment and subsequent suspension. A court later ruled that Wesson was ineligible for the seat because he had previously served three terms on the council. He resigned Aug. 25 and Hutt began serving as the district’s non-voting caretaker.
“Today we made history,” said Council President Nury Martinez of Hutt’s appointment. “The Council confirmed the appointment of the first Black woman to represent the 10th District, a seat that was once held by Tom Bradley and a district that is central to Los Angeles’ story. I want to thank the dedicated residents of the 10th who came to Council, called, emailed, and sent letters demanding representation and telling me who you wanted to represent you. Heather is stepping up to serve the very community she grew up in and I have no doubt that she will make her community proud.”
“I care deeply about this district, it is my home, and I cannot begin to describe how much I appreciate this opportunity to serve,” said Hutt. “Thank you to my neighbors throughout the district for supporting me. I will work hard. I will be diligent. I will be available. Nothing is too big and nothing is too small. As my prior bosses have told me, our jobs are for constituents. That’s why we’re here. And that’s what we’ll do – continue to serve.”
Council members Mike Bonin and Monica Rodriguez opposed Hutt’s appointment.
Read more at the Los Angeles Times.
Image Credit: City of LA
This article has been corrected to reflect Hutt's status as the first Black woman to serve District 10.