Ana Cubas at her campaign kick-off / by Zhao Chen

Ana Cubas, one of two finalists vying to represent District 9 on the L.A. City Council, said at her campaign kick-off event this weekend that despite a tight timespan and a humble budget, she is still confident that she can defeat State Sen. Curren Price in the May 21 runoff.

Former District 9 Councilwoman Rita Walters, District 14 Councilman Jose Huizar, District 8 Councilman Bernard Parks, together with scores of community leaders and voters attended Cubas’ campaign kick-off Saturday at Los Compadres Swapmeet to show support for her.

Addressing the crowd, Cubas said her opponent has started a negative campaign against her, and she and her supporters have encountered a lot of difficulties in this election. “But that all will make the victory sweeter, “ she said.

Cubas said she hopes to raise $200,000 to help her get through the campaign. Price has already received more than $20,000 in support from an independent labor union-backed committee.

“I don’t think I can raise as much money as my opponent does, but I believe in the power of the people. It does not take a lot of money to get people motivated, it just takes a lot of hearts,” she said.

Parks echoed her comments.

“We should realize that although people are throwing a lot of money against her, people in special interests don’t vote people into office, it is you!” the councilman said.

In the Primary Nominating Election this March, Price and Cubas finished as the top two candidates advancing to the May 21 run-off, with Price having attracted 27.2 percent of votes, while Cubas following closely at 24 percent.

Cubas said she is confident to win the run-off because her team is hard-working.  “The primary showed, even if we had a very humble budget, we were outspent by 16 times by our opponent. We still basically are very close to Curren Price. We are very tight,” she said.

Cubas also emphasized her main concern of being the only potential women elected into the city hall.  “My opponent is a man, if I am not elected, we will have an all-male city council,” she said

"We shouldn’t ignore the fact that she will be the only second Latina in the history of the LA City Council. We should also know that, one time there were five women in the city council now we can end up with zero in this election. We have to make sure that 50 percent of our population is well represented,” said Parks.

Sandra Matamoros, a District 9 voter, said Cubas can be a good representative of this area, mostly made up by Latino population. “She belongs here, and she is the right one to serve district 9,” said Matamoros.

Huizar, who is also Cubas’ former supervisor, spoke highly of her character and her determination to serve her commuinty.

“What Ana Cubas is doing is a testament to what she is all about. It speaks to her character. She went to the best universities, and now she is back serving her home,” Huizar said.

Reach Staff Reporter Zhao Chen here.