Thank You, Los Angeles
HYDEE FELDSTEIN SOTO
The late, great Justice Louis Brandeis is often quoted for his view that “The most important office, and the one that all of us can and should fill, is that of a private citizen.“
And it is to that office – a private citizen – that I return this coming December 2026.
I want to begin with two simple words: thank you. While this is not the outcome we hoped for, the voters have spoken - and respecting the voice of the people is at the heart of our democracy. Thank you to every person who believed in this campaign and in our vision for a safer, stronger and more accountable Los Angeles - everyone who contributed, volunteered, opened your homes, shared our message, took a sign and stood with us every step of the way.
Serving as the first woman elected as Los Angeles City Attorney and the first Latina elected citywide is the greatest honor of my life and one of my greatest responsibilities. I have given it all my heart, all my soul and all my might and will continue to do so through the end of my term this December, with the same focus, independence and dedication to public service that have guided me from day one.
Justice Brandeis also is quoted for recognizing that “We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we cannot have both.”
At the end of the day, the funds we raised far exceeded the funds raised by other campaigns, but just a handful of special interests funded more than $5 million as independent expenditures for two of my opponents. While money does not always win, especially not in a binary election, money always talks thanks to Citizens United, and the money clearly had a double megaphone - from the left and the right - in this race.
It is fitting that a message that starts with Justice Brandeis should also quote the late, great Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg: “Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.”
I am grateful for all of you who have called, texted and sent me messages telling me that is what you believe I have successfully done - left good tracks for others to follow. As for me, to quote Elphaba from Wicked: “Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” Not just for good, for the good of us all. Thank you for your faith, your encouragement, your hard work and your belief that Los Angeles is always worth fighting for. Six months to go before I hang up the boots, and still much to still fight for.
Gracias y un fuerte abrazo,
Hydee
