Political heavyweights, outsiders eye council district emblematic of LA's systemic problems

California's primary election falls on Super Tuesday this year, and while the Democrats running for president are grabbing all the headlines, several local races with big footprints are up for grabs.

That includes LA City Council District 14, which includes the communities of downtown LA, Boyle Heights and several others in Northeast LA.

In many ways, CD14 is ground zero for many of the systemic issues that afflict the city: gentrification, homelessness, housing and pollution.

There are five candidates vying to replace Councilmember Jose Huizar who is termed out: Former state senator Kevin de Leon, LA School Board member Monica Garcia, nonprofit president Cyndi Otteson, small business owner Raquel Zamora, and community activist John Jimenez.

The top two candidates will find themselves in a runoff election in November, unless someone receives more than 50% of the vote.

What do you want to know more about?