The Los Angeles City Council is expected to consider the nomination of President Pro Tem Marqueece Harris-Dawson as the next council president Tuesday.
Council members Katy Yaroslavsky and Heather Hutt nominated Harris-Dawson last week, following Council President Paul Krekorian’s announcement that he plans to step down from the position Sept. 20 in a move to help transition to new leadership. Krekorian is leaving City Hall at the end of this year due to term limits.
“Councilmember Harris-Dawson’s leadership, vision and temperament have consistently stood out in his tenure on the council,” Yaroslavsky said in a statement. “His ability to build coalitions across L.A.’s diverse communities demonstrates a commitment to collaboration that is crucial for our city’s future.”
The motion was co-signed by six other council members — Nithya Raman, Hugo Soto-Martinez, John Lee, Eunisses Hernandez, Monica Rodriguez and Krekorian — which may give Harris-Dawson enough votes to confirm his nomination, including his own. If elected, he would preside as chair over meetings, have the power to assign council committees and handle parliamentary duties such as ruling motions in or out of order.
According to a representative from Harris-Dawson’s office, the councilman is excited about the support from fellow council members and looks forward to the vote.
Yaroslavsky expressed her “deep gratitude and appreciation” for Krekorian, noting that his leadership “steadied” the council and city through crises and complexities as Los Angeles emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and several political scandals.
Earlier this week, Krekorian wrote a letter to his colleagues, including Mayor Karen Bass and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, notifying them of his plans to step down as council president.
“I want to thank each of you for the trust and support you have extended to me as your council president,” the letter reads. “Even more, I thank you for your commitment to serving the people of Los Angeles, and to continuing the vital work of restoring effectiveness, prudence, integrity and decorum to the City Council on which we are privileged to serve. It is my honor to be your colleague.”