Activist Drops Bid to Fund Recall Against Hernandez

A Highland Park activist who said he would fund a recall movement against Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Hernandez changed his mind this week, although other community members said they will continue the effort.

Jean-Marie Durand, who ran against Hernandez in 1993, was planning to finance and run an effort to recall Hernandez after the councilman admitted using drugs. Durand was considering launching a recall before Hernandez was arrested because he “catered to special groups in the district,” said his wife, Joyce Durand.

But this week, Durand released a statement saying the majority of citizens are against a recall, and people supporting the effort are politically motivated.

“I do not care to engage in a mudslinging campaign,” Durand said.

Meanwhile, a group of residents in Hernandez’s district are continuing the recall effort, which is expected to officially begin today when they can file an intent to recall with the city clerk.

The group must gather more than 6,300 signatures to trigger a special election.