LOCAL

The Chacon family are political gatekeepers

With the matriarch

Francine Orr/ Los Angeles Times

Hector Chacon visits with his mother, Paula Sarinana, 75, in Commerce. Chacon, 44, along with his nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters, has run or worked on more than 100 campaigns, including heated races for city councils, water districts and school boards. Three family members, including Chacon himself, have won public office.

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In the bruising political world of southeast Los Angeles County, 44-year-old Hector Chacon and his family are admired and feared. They are go-to campaign gurus with checkered pasts whom candidates hire when they want to break into politics -- or bat down a challenge from an upstart. See story