While his racist remarks have drawn fierce condemnation, the conversation also sheds light on the zero-sum politics of redistricting. Council members and Herrera talked about undercutting other members by putting his district “in a blender” and diluting the power of renters. They also discuss distributing “assets” like airports to “Latino districts,” and emphasize how they can “massage create districts” that benefit themselves.
Unlike in the process of drawing congressional and state Legislature seats in California, which is monitored by an independent panel, the district map of the Los Angeles City Council is formed and approved by the sitting members, so manipulation and abuses of power.
Supporters of Bonta’s investigation include acting Los Angeles City Council President Mitch O’Farrell, who was appointed to the position after Martinez was stripped of the presidency amid outrage over the recording.
“Redistricting is always controversial. There’s always politics involved, but I’ve never heard of an instance where there’s a closed-door meeting with several council members deciding among themselves how redistricting should be done,” O’Farrell said at a press conference.
The growing fallout from the record includes calls for Los Angeles to adopt an independent redistricting panel. Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) said earlier this week he may introduce legislation to do so.
“We need to have a non-partisan process in cities like LA to create fair districts independent of independent politicians, and I’m exploring legislative options along those lines,” Allen said in a tweet Tuesday.
Democratic elected officials continued to press Martinez, de Léon and Cedillo to resign on Wednesday. Senator Dianne Feinstein urged them to step aside, joining Senator Alex Padilla – a longtime ally of Martinez – President Joe Biden, and a long list of California officials.