Los Angeles CD1 candidate forum controversy highlights tensions over fairness, transparency, and community trust in a race shaping Latino neighborhoods.
A statement released this week by Nelson Grande, candidate for CD1 on the City Council, sparked controversy following his unexpected announcement: he would withdraw from a candidate forum scheduled for April 9, hosted by the Benjamin Franklin High School PTSA.
Grande said he did not trust the forum’s neutrality and claimed that the event organizer, whom he did not name, had close ties to current Councilmember Eunisses Hernández, raising concerns about the event’s impartiality. He also alleged that his wife’s Instagram account, as well as his campaign account, had been blocked by the PTSA’s Instagram page.
The decision came as a surprise, especially given repeated calls from Hernández’s four challengers urging the incumbent to participate in a debate. Last year, several forums were held, but Hernández’s team cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for her absence. The forum at Franklin High School was set to be the first opportunity to bring all five candidates together during the campaign.
Monica Alcaraz, treasurer of the PTSA, said the situation was unexpected. She explained that the issue began with a December post in which the organization thanked individuals who supported an event. That post was later shared on the personal account of Grande’s wife, in a way that violated nonprofit regulations by implying an endorsement.
“A previous PTSA post was used to share inaccurate and biased information with the implication that the PTSA is endorsing a candidate. We requested that the content be removed, but that request was not honored.
“Because this violated IRS rules, the board had no alternative but to block the personal account. While accounts may be connected, only the personal account was blocked due to actions that compromised our neutrality,” the PTSA said in a statement published on its Instagram page yesterday.
Alcaraz said the forum is very important to both the Franklin High School community and the broader Highland Park área.
“This forum was created so that students, families, teachers, and community members can attend and learn about the candidates’ proposals. We have to do things the right way, we must remain neutral. I spoke with Nelson about this, but unfortunately we couldn’t resolve it. I reached out because I’ve known him for many years, just as I know many activists and politicians. My relationship with Eunisses is strictly professional, within her role as councilmember. She supports events we organize, but she is not my friend, and we have no interaction beyond work; just as I do with other councilmembers and supervisors. I don’t understand where the doubts about this event are coming from. My relationship with Eunisses is the same as the one I have with Nelson Grande,” said the PTSA treasurer, clarifying that these remarks were made in a personal capacity.
Despite the decisions by Grande and fellow candidate Sylvia Robledo not to attend, Alcaraz said the event will proceed as planned.
“It will take place regardless. All five candidates were invited, and everyone will have the same opportunity to speak and answer the same questions. There will be no favoritism toward any candidate,” she said.
She emphasized that hosting candidates at a school like Franklin High School is a unique opportunity for students.
“These students have been deeply affected by what is happening in the country. Many have experienced the effects of raids and economic hardship. They need to hear messages of optimism and hope. That’s why this is unfortunate,” she added.
Alcaraz noted that she knows four of the five candidates. “Raúl is the only one I don’t know,” she said, emphasizing that she will not be asking questions during the forum.
The forum will be moderated by Emma del Huerro, a student and member of the Franklin High School Political Science Club.
“She is a very capable student and politically active. It’s important to highlight this; we want student voices to be heard, and Emma will represent her peers,” Alcaraz added.
She said her goal is for the Highland Park and Franklin High School communities to come together and exchange ideas on how to build a better community, beyond political interests.
“I am not endorsing anyone. My personal opinions are irrelevant to this event. Nelson himself reached out to me last August to ask for my opinion about his candidacy—I gave it to him. We both know what it is. If someone asks me something, I share my opinion. I don’t hold back. But that does not influence an event like this,” she said.
“Franklin High School PTSA follows IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations and must remain nonpartisan and neutral.
“Our involvement in the CD1 Candidate Forum is strictly neutral. We do not endorse or oppose any candidate and are committed to providing fair, balanced, and accurate information to our school community,” the PTSA said in its statement.
Alcaraz also highlighted the importance of Franklin High School within the community and across Los Angeles, noting its leadership in various ongoing social struggles. She said students are politically engaged and deserve to hear directly from their representatives.
“I would like all candidates to attend, but I cannot force them,” she concluded.
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