Comments
WEST LA - In what was originally advertised as a forum between incumbent LA Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11) and progressive challenger Faizah Malik turned out to be a rallying cry by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-43) and a Q&A with the Democratic Socialist as Park had scheduling conflicts preventing her attendance Saturday afternoon at Saint Bede's church in West Los Angeles.
The announcement was made Thursday that the progressive icon would be in attendance in lieu of Park's withdrawal, but the club would move forward with the endorsement process despite her absence.
Both candidates provided completed questionaries for voting members to consider as about 125 were in attendance to hear both Waters, the 87-year-old firebrand liberal and Malik, a lawyer and civil rights advocate making her first bid for public office.
Club members were e-mailed ballots, and Malik captured the endorsement with 72% of the votes cast.
According to the club's BY LAWS, a candidate must receive 60% of the vote to secure their preference.
The change in agenda and invited speakers sorted itself out on Saturday as Waters opened things with an enthusiastic stump speech that ended in a standing ovation for the longtime member of Congress.
"ICE has got to go," to the delight of assembled members as Waters rattled off reasons why Democrats were poised to take back the House and install Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY) as the next speaker.
Waters emphasized protest to "drown out MAGA," and stated Democrats were united in their quest for control of the lower house. Midterm elections are generally unkind to the party in power, and many expect the same result for the GOP come November.
Waters promised to sponsor legislation that would result in a trillion-dollar housing bill based on using vacant public land and parcels to construct affordable units.
Waters accused Republicans of trying to "destroy the infrastructure of Social Security," and that Democrats will not give up in their opposition to President Donald Trump's attempts to federalize elections, and demanding birth certificates and passports as a valid source of identification.
Cara Robin, who serves as the club's president clarified the change in schedule and agenda.
"She (Waters) was supposed to speak at last month's forum, but when Jesse Jackson died, she couldn't do it, and I didn't know she would be available until Wednesday, so it worked out."
Regarding Park's absence, she apparently had seven events on Saturday and had conflicts within her schedule.
"Elected officials don't always know their schedules. It's really up to their staff to take care of that. We were hoping that she could move something around, but it didn't work out," noted Robin.
For Malik, she inherited the opportunity to speak directly to those assembled and discuss her campaign and progressive vision for the district.
Malik is the mother of two, wife, a Venice renter and daughter of immigrants who was born and raised in Southern California. A housing and community development attorney by profession, she has spent her career "fighting to build more housing, protect renters and improve the lives of working families."
Malik is a graduate of Brown University (BA) and the University of Michigan Law School (JD).
Malik emphasized this was the fourth time Park had skipped or missed the opportunity to stand side-by-side with her in this campaign. The two had previously participated in a debate several weeks ago at the Grace Lutheran Church in Venice to a crowd of some four hundred attendees.
Malik praised Waters as a "progressive pioneer," and that affordability, walkable and bikeable streets were at the cornerstone of her campaign.
Malik emphasized her support for stronger renter protections as she rattled off several key endorsements such as the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-61), and numerous Democratic clubs and organizations such as the LA County Young Democrats.
Malik has also secured the endorsement of Los Angeles Controller Kenneth Mejia.
Malik described Los Angeles as a "broken status quo," and offered her support of the controversial Venice Dell project, which would construct 120 units of affordable housing just steps from the beach. Malik accused Park of driving the cost to construct higher because of her opposition, long an issue with area residents who historically oppose the project.
Malik believes preventing homelessness in the first place should be a better priority, and that fighting for food and shelter as well as improved renter protections the foundation of her campaign.
Malik, while acknowledging her support of the Democratic Socialists, also reiterated her Democratic Party credentials having always been a lifelong Democrat since 2004. She believed her plethora of endorsements from party clubs and organizations were critical to "a big tent coalition" as well as driving young people to her candidacy.
Malik also has the support of UNITE HERE!, and SEIU, Local 721.
The similarities to the 2022 campaign are becoming more and more apparent as Park, also a Venice resident and attorney, sought the open seat against Erin Darling, himself an attorney and Venetian.
In that campaign as in this year's contest, Malik is securing the more liberal public sector unions, while Park is the favorite of private sector labor, as well as the support of area Congressman Ted Lieu (D-36) and US Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA). Park also enjoys strong financial backing from the Los Angeles Police Protective League (PPL) and the Los Angeles County Firefighters, Local #1014.
When it came to fundraising, Malik accused Park of accepting campaign contributions from Republican donors as Park has raised an impressive $1.1 million with $750,000 cash on hand. Malik to date has raised $383,596, while refusing donations from large corporations.
Malik is forecasting a campaign budget of $806,000.
Regarding the abolition of LAHSA (Los Angeles Housing Services Authority), Malik conceded that the controversial agency was not working and would oppose the formation of a similar city bureaucracy. Malik stated shelter beds in CD-11 were down 12% and would work with county officials to provide services to engage the unhoused community.
Malik said she would enthusiastically embrace charter reform and supports the expansion of the 15-member Los Angeles City Council as well as the concept of "rank choice voting," that could eliminate runoffs as well as supporting two-year fiscal budgets and codifying capital projects.
"I love charter reform," noted the candidate.
Regarding the rebuilding of the Pacific Palisades, Malik believes infrastructure should be the priority, and that power lines need to be underground moving forward.
"I want a recovery that leaves no one behind."
Malik was concerned that the city's liability payouts were diverting from essential services like street paving and curb repair.
Malik noted that 46% of the city's current budget is policing and accused the incumbent of too much financial emphasis on that expenditure.
"I have a 9-year-old and 7-year-old; public safety is a priority," said Malik.
Malik also noted that Los Angeles currently has 8,300 sworn officers.
The challenger also promised to be a "strong climate champion" for the district.
She closed with requesting more debates and forums with the incumbent.
"Forums like this are critical. We need to come together to find solutions and end the shortcuts."
As the daughter of immigrants, Malik noted she could become the first non-white councilmember to represent the 11th CD.
Of the city's fifteen council districts, the 11th is the only one with a white majority of some 60%.
The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2nd.
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of Venice who is covering the race for city council in the 11th CD. Have a take or tip on the race? Contact him online via e-mail at [email protected])
