Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo on Monday, Nov. 6, formally declared her intent to become a candidate for a Los Angeles City Council seat, putting to rest questions about whether the Democrat might withdraw her candidacy following her arrest last week on suspicion of drunk driving.

Monday was the first day candidates for the 2024 L.A. City Council races could file their declaration of intent to run. By day’s end, seven people had declared that they intend to run in the battle for Council District 14.

Others who filed to run in District 14 were Ysabel Jurado, a tenant rights attorney; Mark Tirado, who works in business development; Teresa Hillery, an attorney and community volunteer; Samir Bitar, a civic arts advocate; Assemblymember Miguel Santiago; and Barry “Villa” Boen, according to the city clerk’s office.

Councilmember Kevin de León – who has announced that he’ll seek reelection despite heavy backlash for participating in a racist backroom conversation that was secretly taped and leaked to the public – had not filed as of Monday. Candidates have until Saturday to do so.

Before this week, 13 people had filed campaign finance papers with the city’s ethics commission, signaling a possible run for the council seat.

Carrillo was taken into custody early Friday after police officers responded to the 6200 block of Monterey Road, near Arroyo Seco Park, where a motorist was involved in a multi-car accident, Sgt. Hector Guzman of the Los Angeles Police Department said last week.

The assemblymember was booked on suspicion of DUI, according to the LAPD. Jail records show she was arrested at about 1:30 a.m. Friday and booked around 4 a.m. She was released on her own recognizance that afternoon and given a tentative court date of Dec. 1.

ABC7 News reported that cellphone video it obtained showed Carrillo telling officers at the scene of Friday’s accident that she “sneezed and lost track” of the Audi she was driving.

The news station also showed video taken by a witness of Carrillo’s field sobriety test, in which the assemblymember appeared to lose her balance at one point.

L.A. City Council District 14 includes downtown L.A. and neighborhoods on L.A.’s Eastside, including Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno and Northeast L.A.

Carrillo’s campaign did not issue a statement Monday. But by formally declaring her intent to run, Carrillo sent “a very strong message,” said Fernando Guerra, a political science professor and the director of the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University.

Carrillo made clear to voters after last week’s arrest that, “‘I am in this race and nothing’s going to deter me,’” Guerra said.

The primary election is set for March 5 of next year, followed by the general election on Nov. 5.

Carrillo was the first person to submit her declaration of intent to run for Council District 14, according to the city clerk’s office.

Carrillo issued a statement on Friday, acknowledging that she’d been “in a traffic incident involving parked vehicles.” She said that “no one was harmed” and that she was cooperating with law enforcement.

“As a public servant, I am aware that I must adhere to a higher standard that demands personal accountability for my conduct and I accept responsibility for my actions. I sincerely apologize to my family, constituents, colleagues and staff for any actions of mine that have fallen short of that expectation,” Carrillo stated, adding that she intends to seek help and support.

“As I do so, I remain dedicated to my family, my constituents and the community that I grew up in and am proud to represent,” she said.

So far, Carrillo’s opponents in the City Council race have not said much about the traffic incident.

That’s not surprising to Guerra.

In a hotly contested primary election in which Guerra believes there are four strong contenders, it’s wise for other candidates to not attack Carrillo too much over her arrest, he said.

“In a four-person race, when you try to hurt somebody, you oftentimes hurt yourself. Who would take that risk?” he said.

And while Guerra said that Carrillo’s arrest could factor in to how she places in the primary election, he did not rule her out as a serious contender. Through Sept. 30, Carrillo – who has name recognition because of her status as a state lawmaker – had raised more money for this race than all but one other candidate.

“Is (the DUI) irreparable for her candidacy? No. Can it play a role? Yes, especially in a highly competitive campaign with four viable candidates where the difference between who finishes second and third could be a couple hundred votes,” Guerra said.

Guerra and veteran political consultant Brian VanRiper said if there is a runoff election and Carrillo is one of the two candidates on the ballot next November, her arrest could become a bigger issue.

For now, though, they don’t believe most voters in Council District 14 are aware of her drunk-driving arrest last Friday.

VanRiper also said last week that voters in less affluent communities like Council District 14 tend to be more forgiving of politicians facing DUI charges as compared to those who face corruption charges.

“In socio-economically challenged districts, the voters are a lot more forgiving – just have a lot more (other issues) to care about,” he said.

Carrillo is not the only political candidate dealing with the fallout from a DUI arrest. In May, state Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine), was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Min, who is running for California’s 47th congressional district seat, has called his decision to get behind the wheel “irresponsible” and said he accepted “full responsibility” for his actions.

In August, Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes – running for the state Assembly – pleaded guilty to DUI, stemming from a July incident. It was her second brush with law enforcement over a drunk driving incident.

Guerra said that while drunk driving is an issue that raises the question of whether a candidate has sound judgment, voters tend to be willing to forgive.

“There are so many people who know people who have had DUIs,” he said. “There is the sense that this is not unique. It’s not like corruption … specific to your job responsibility. There is a little more tolerance.”