The Fall Of KDL: 5 Shocking Facts About Kevin De León’s Life After The LA City Council Scandal

The political career of Kevin de León, once a powerhouse in California politics and the first Latino leader of the State Senate in over a century, has reached a definitive and dramatic turning point. As of today, December 10, 2025, one year after his tumultuous term on the Los Angeles City Council officially ended, the former councilmember is focused on the fallout from a devastating defeat and lingering legal issues. His story is a masterclass in political resilience and ultimate reckoning, defined by a scandalous audio leak that irrevocably altered the landscape of Los Angeles governance. De León's journey from a progressive environmental advocate to a figure synonymous with the 2022 LA City Hall racist audio scandal is one of the most compelling and controversial narratives in modern California politics. Despite immense pressure to resign, his refusal to step down kept him in the public eye, culminating in a fierce re-election battle he ultimately lost, marking the end of his time in elected office.

Kevin de León: A Political Biography

Kevin Alexander de León, often known by his initials KDL, has had a decades-long career marked by both historic achievements and profound controversy.

• Full Name: Kevin Alexander León (professionally known as Kevin de León)
• Date of Birth: December 10, 1966
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Education: University of California, Santa Barbara (attended); Pitzer College (B.A. in Political Science)
• Early Career: Community organizer, educator, and environmental advocate.
• California State Assembly: Served from 2006 to 2010.
• California State Senate: Served from 2010 to 2018.
• Senate Pro Tempore: Served as President pro tempore of the California State Senate from 2014 to 2018, becoming the first Latino to hold the position in 130 years.
• U.S. Senate Race: Challenged Dianne Feinstein in the 2018 U.S. Senate election.
• Los Angeles City Council: Elected to represent District 14 (CD 14) in 2020.
• Current Status (as of Dec 2025): Former Los Angeles City Councilmember, having left office on December 9, 2024, after losing his re-election bid.

The Racist Audio Scandal and Defiant Stand

The defining chapter of Kevin de León's City Council tenure was the infamous 2022 audio leak that exposed a private conversation between him, Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmember Gil Cedillo, and labor leader Ron Herrera. The recording, which featured racist, derogatory, and politically charged remarks about colleagues and constituents, sent shockwaves through Los Angeles and the nation. The immediate fallout was swift and severe. Nury Martinez resigned from the City Council, and Ron Herrera stepped down from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Gil Cedillo's term was already ending, but he was also pressured to leave. De León, however, became the last man standing, defying intense public and political pressure, including from President Joe Biden, to step down. De León's refusal to resign, despite being shunned by colleagues and facing relentless protests, became a symbol of political obstinance. He argued that leaving office would be abandoning the constituents of District 14 who needed his voice. This decision forced him to serve out the remainder of his term in a state of political isolation, often unable to attend meetings without disruption and facing motions for censure.

The 2024 Election Defeat: A Progressive Upset

In the aftermath of the scandal, De León chose to seek re-election for the District 14 seat, a move that many political analysts considered audacious. He proved to be a formidable fundraiser, pulling in more campaign money than any other council candidate on the ballot, demonstrating a surprising level of political machinery still at his disposal. However, the weight of the scandal proved too heavy to overcome. The primary election in March 2024 saw De León advance to the general election, but he faced a strong challenge from a field of opponents. The general election saw a direct contest between De León and progressive tenant rights attorney Ysabel Jurado. The race was tight, but Jurado ultimately declared victory over the incumbent, a win that solidified a progressive shift on the Los Angeles City Council. De León conceded the race, officially marking his departure from the City Council on December 9, 2024. His defeat was widely viewed as the final political consequence of the 2022 audio leak, with the voters of District 14 delivering the ultimate verdict on his defiant tenure.

Facing Post-Political Ethics Fines

The troubles for Kevin de León did not end with his election defeat. In a fresh blow to his reputation, the former councilmember was recently faced with significant ethics violations. These violations stem from his actions while serving on the Los Angeles City Council. The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission determined that De León was facing an $18,750 fine. The fine relates to his participation in City Council decisions where he had a direct financial interest. This type of conflict of interest is a serious breach of political ethics, adding a new layer of legal and financial scrutiny to his post-political life. The ethics fine serves as a potent reminder that the consequences of his time in office are still unfolding, long after the racist audio leak and his subsequent defeat. It highlights the intricate web of personal and political dealings that characterized his time on the council and reinforces the narrative of a political downfall fueled by a lack of accountability.

What's Next for the Former State Senate Leader?

As of late 2025, Kevin de León has largely exited the public spotlight he so defiantly occupied for two years following the audio scandal. His loss to Ysabel Jurado and the subsequent ethics fines have effectively closed the door on his career as an elected official in Los Angeles for the immediate future. The question of what comes next for a politician of his stature—a former leader of the California State Senate and a key figure in the state's environmental movement—remains open. Given his background as an educator, activist, and community organizer, a return to non-profit work or advocacy is a possibility. However, the lasting stain of the racist audio scandal and the ethics violations will undoubtedly complicate any attempt at a significant public comeback. The story of Kevin de León serves as a cautionary tale in modern politics: a reminder that even the most powerful and resilient political careers can be undone by a single, catastrophic breach of public trust and ethical conduct. His political chapter in Los Angeles is closed, and the focus now shifts to how he navigates the aftermath of one of the city's most turbulent political periods.