Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores resigns to focus on attempted recall

Two months shy of his tenure as Huntington Park mayor, Arturo Flores stepped down during Tuesday’s bimonthly City Council meeting. In a brief message, Flores said the decision is to focus more directly on an attempted recall. 

While he is resigning from the mayoral seat, Flores will remain as a member of the City Council.

Flores said in order to rebuild integrity and restore confidence in the city, there must be transparency. 

“For that reason, I am resigning as mayor effective immediately. This decision is not a retreat. It is a strategic choice,” Flores said during the Jan. 13 meeting. “Stepping aside from mayor chair allows me to focus fully on defending against the recall, setting the record straight and continuing to advocate for the residents of Huntington Park without constraints of ceremonial or internal obstruction.”

He made it clear that this is not a side issue, but a serious fight that requires full attention, independence and focus.

Flores told CALÓ News that the recall is in retaliation for alerting authorities about former Councilwoman Esmeralda Castillo being in office despite not being a resident of the city of Huntington Park.

“I blew the whistle in Aug of 2024. Emailed the D.A. [District Attorney]... Currently, the recall language is being challenged through a writ of mandate,” he said, stating that there is a court date in March.

Standing with the community 

During the council meeting, Flores highlighted the difficult moments Huntington Park has experienced, starting with the city hall raid at the beginning of the year amid a corruption investigation, and continuing with the massive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and immigration enforcement at specific addresses. 

The federal actions have tested the public trust and placed difficult pressure on the city.

“Through it all, my purpose has been clear to stand with our residents when others hesitated. I spoke when it was uncomfortable, I acted. I fought for the most vulnerable because leadership demands courage and, as mayor, that responsibility was not optional,” he said. “As a military veteran, I know that real fights require discipline, clarity and accountability. I accepted this role, believing we could help Huntington Park turn the page and move forward from past scandals.”

In a press release, the city stated that the resignation applies solely to the ceremonial role of mayor and does not affect city governance, operations or service delivery.

The work continues

Huntington Park Vice Mayor Eddie Martinez said he was surprised by Flores' unexpected resignation as mayor, but he is ready to lead the city, starting by addressing the massive ICE raids that have occurred in Huntington Park since June 2025. 

The Southeast Los Angeles Rapid Response Network (SELA RRN), a group that monitors and documents suspected and confirmed ICE activity across the southeast region of Los Angeles, identified Huntington Park as the city with the highest number of ICE-related events (26), along with South Gate (26). From June to December 2025, at least 35 people were confirmed “kidnapped” by ICE officers. 

“I want to pass out whistles throughout the city. If we see ICE, we can make noise to create awareness,” said Martinez. 

He said other targeted issues in the city he wants to focus on are affordable housing, the future of Salt Lake Park and the Pacific Boulevard business corridor. 

The council will cast a vote for the new mayor and vice mayor at the Jan. 27 meeting. Both will continue their duties until November, when elections for three council seats will be held. Once the new council members are elected, they will vote for the new mayor and vice mayor for a one-year term. 

In the meantime, day-to-day operations at city hall remain unchanged, according to the release.