The Los Angeles City Council elected Councilman Paul Krekorian as new council president without objection, Tuesday.

Krekorian will replace Nury Martinez as president, who resigned from the council after being heard making racially charged comments in a recently leaked private conversation.

“I offer my deep thanks to each of you for the confidence you’ve shown in me,” Krekorian said during the meeting. “This is, needless to say, one of the most challenging times our city has ever faced and I’m ever mindful of what’s before us and I appreciate that support very much.”

Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson nominated Krekorian, expressing that Krekorian had the “track record” of including “lots of voices” in his council duties.

The nomination was then seconded by Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who called Krekorian a “steady hand.”

Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, who was acting president over the past week, previously stated that he had no interest in keeping the position and will transition back to his role as president pro-tempore.

“I congratulate Councilmember Paul Krekorian on his election as the first Armenian American to serve as President of the Los Angeles City Council,” O’Farrell said in a statement. “As I hand the baton to Council President Krekorian, I have full faith and confidence that he will help guide our city with the experience, steady hand, and unifying voice that these challenging times require.”

Mayor Eric Garcetti praised the election of Krekorian and said he would continue to work with the council to “help heal the wounds,” of the city, a message often repeated by councilmembers in the midst of the turmoil stemming from last week’s leaked audio conversations.

“Paul is a committed and conscientious leader who can bring a smart, collaborative, and effective approach to a painful moment when Angelenos deserve steady leadership on the City Council,” Garcetti said in a statement. “I am confident that he’ll assemble a leadership team of bridge builders, and I’ll work closely with the Council to help heal the wounds caused by the hateful words of a few. Our collective mission must be partnering to press forward on the causes of racial justice and inclusive government – and pushing for new reforms to bring greater transparency, fairness, and decency to how business is conducted and people are treated by those who represent them at City Hall.”

Portions of the leaked audio involving Martinez, Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo sparked red flags about the city’s redistricting process, leading the council to seek redistricting alternatives.

Councilmember Nithya Raman presented an item that would create independent redistricting commissions by 2024.

Raman’s district was discussed in the leaked recording, with Councilman Cedillo saying, “She doesn’t matter. She’s not our ally. She is not going to help us. Her district is not a district we can count on,” and de Leon responding with, “So you’re saying that’s the one to put in a blender and chop up left and right?”

Councilmember Raman had proposed changes to the redistricting process in 2021, to no avail, but has reintroduced a motion for the council’s consideration.

“What came out of the recording last week, in addition to the abhorrent racism and homophobia, was clear evidence that our city’s redistricting process was manipulated for personal political gain, at the explicit expense of struggling Angelenos,” Raman said. “The changes that I’ve been discussing will address real vulnerabilities in our government structure that lead to corruption and self-dealing of exactly the kind that had been on vivid display not just this last week, but over the last few years here in Los Angeles.”

 

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