Inglewood resident Jerome Horton is a familiar name. Horton is a licensed realtor, and has served on the City Council, State Assembly and Board of Equalization during his political career that has spanned over two decades. He termed out of office in January 2019 and has his eyes set on a return to political life. A review of his campaign committee “Horton for Senate 2022” shows he has the financial backing, however, Horton is no stranger to controversy.
In 2010, a routine audit found that Horton’s committees had violated campaign laws. Over $100,000 in unspent contributions to his 2006 campaign were never returned to donors, and mailings concerning an Inglewood school board race were funded by the Horton-led Citizens to Elect Honest Officials but didn’t include his name. Further investigation revealed widespread malpractice by Horton’s campaign manager, Kinde Durkee, in handling campaign committees for many Democratic officials, including Representatives Loretta Sanchez and Susan Davis and Senator Dianne Feinstein. Durkee paid a $13,000 fine to the Fair Political Practices Commission on behalf of Horton’s committees.
Horton is also credited with the dismantling of the Board of Equalization (BOE).
The BOE, which consists of four elected members and the state controller, has long had the reputation as being a pay-to-play agency. If you had a case pending before the board it’s no secret that hiring the right attorney or writing the right check could reap big dividends.
Horton generated negative headlines after he spent $118,000 of taxpayer money on office furniture, despite being barred from running for re-election due to term limits.
That proved to be the final straw for the BOE, as the governor and Legislature stripped them of most of their power and gave it to the newly created California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
A wide range of donors, consisting of employee unions, beverage companies, poultry farmers, law enforcement, card clubs and other professionals have so far contributed $182,484 towards his next campaign and he’s only just begun.
Tesla founder Elon Musk has also chipped in.
Horton’s wife Yvonne will retire as the City Clerk for Inglewood and will be succeeded by her and Jerome’s former employee Aisha Thompson.
1 Comment
As good little sheep that we are Inglewood residents will likely vote with enthusiasm because we know his name ! No matter his actions while Board of Equalization Member essentially aging donate to my friends and have your taxes forgiven or the irresponsible use of tax (your and my) money …..we are happy to vote as we are told and follow the leader even if it is off a cliff. As for the “fine job” Performed as by wife Yvonne as City Clerk ….hmmmm why is it the most important things a clerk should do 1) record minutes and 2) make certain public records are available has seen the city go without minutes for several months and the unprecedented destruction of public records ie “the stadium petition” including phrasing that residents would VOTE IF they wanted a stadium and officer involved use of force records?
But never mind day-to- day worker-bees the BIG POCKET GUYS will get the political face that “looks like us” who is most willing to speak on their behalf……, after all we should know better than to expect elected to represent little people like us rather than the billionaires.
When Senators Hall paved the way for the obnoxious-flashing-digital-insulting- signs (sure to cause accidents when non-local drivers try to maintain focus on the car in front of them) , And Senator Steve Bradford showed he didn’t care about our quality of life and turned over the keys to our community to two Billionaires by helping to rush their projects through (not even pausing to say “ hey, what about that promised opportunity to vote If we want a stadium” they both proved the people of the community are only pawns to be used in their pursuit of fame and richess