USC student runs for LA City Council

A USC student government senator is setting his sights on something bigger: a seat on the Los Angeles City Council.

Moy Valdez, a senior political science student, is running to represent the city’s 9th District. In a statement, Valdez said he wants to “challenge the establishment and fight against blatant corrupt practices,” freeze rent prices, build affordable housing, and repair roads and sidewalks.

The 9th District encompasses USC’s campus and parts of the surrounding neighborhood. Curren Price, the district’s sitting council member, will term out this coming year.

Price is facing public corruption charges for allegedly voting on projects that he had financial interests in. In August, the LA County District Attorney’s office said it uncovered evidence that Price’s wife earned more than $800,000 as a result of a contract he voted for.

Price’s hand-picked successor — Jose Ugarte, his deputy chief of staff — was fined this month for failing to disclose income he made from outside firms while working as a City Council staffer.

Tomo Chien can be reached at [email protected]