A California congressional candidate admitted to making a homophobic slur captured on video, marking the second controversy in three months for the progressive union activist seeking to unseat an incumbent Democrat.

Video Surfaces From San Francisco

Lourin Hubbard, running for California’s 21st congressional district covering parts of Tulare and Fresno counties, used a homophobic slur while driving through San Francisco with friends. In footage obtained by The Post, the 22-year-old at the time mocked another driver, adding that being in San Francisco made the comment acceptable. Hubbard now acknowledges the remark was wrong and takes full responsibility, though he questions why the old video surfaced during his campaign.

The candidate defended his record by pointing to endorsements from multiple LGBTQ+ Democratic clubs and claiming he has spent over a decade supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Hubbard characterized the video’s release as politically motivated, suggesting critics want to avoid discussing his campaign priorities of Medicare for all, affordable childcare, and building a green economy. He argued voters should weigh a mistake made at 22 against years of subsequent advocacy and action.

Second Controversy in Three Months

This incident follows February revelations when The Post uncovered Hubbard’s old Reddit account containing explicit comments about women. The posts, made between five and eight years ago on not-safe-for-work forums, included crude remarks about women’s bodies and objectifying language. Hubbard also used a derogatory term for intellectually disabled people and made an inappropriate joke about the Parkland school shooting on a forum where users mock each other.

Hubbard apologized for the Reddit posts, calling them adult in nature involving consenting adults but understanding how some might view them as objectifying or inappropriate. The comments were made before he deactivated the account.

Challenging an Incumbent Democrat

Hubbard seeks to unseat Democratic Representative Jim Costa in the Democratic-leaning 21st district. The race includes Republican challengers Kyle Kirkland and Lorenzo Rios. The repeated controversies raise questions about how voters will balance past behavior against current policy positions in a competitive primary. Hubbard’s campaign centers on progressive priorities common among younger Democratic activists challenging establishment incumbents across California.