Politics

On the Ballot This November: Can L.A. Sell Asphalt?

For nearly 80 years, the city of L.A. has run an asphalt plant. Now it wants to make money off it — but voters must approve.

Tomo Chien

Aug 26, 2026

Nithya Raman's Campaign Has A New Adviser: Controversial Political Firm Fight Agency

Fight Agency, which was celebrated for its work on behalf of New York Mayor Mamdani and criticized for its role in the campaign of disgraced Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, will advise Raman’s bid to unseat Mayor Karen Bass

Matt Hamilton

Aug 19, 2026

The Corruption Saga Dividing L.A. Politics

Mark Ridley-Thomas may soon go to prison for bribery. Has he been wronged?

Matt Hamilton

Aug 11, 2026

Who Wants to Be the Most Powerful Person in Los Angeles County?

2028 is a long way off. But a shadow battle for L.A. County CEO is already brewing.

Julia Wick

Aug 4, 2026

The Gascón Era Is Proving Costly

The County of Los Angeles has agreed to pay out at least $14 million to prosecutors who say they were improperly sidelined, reassigned or otherwise suffered after criticizing the former D.A.'s reforms.

Matt Hamilton

Jul 23, 2026

Bass Advisor Remained in Private Mayor's Office Chats While Doing P.R. for Lineage

Yusef Robb remained in the mayor’s internal communications channels for a week after beginning crisis PR work for the company that manages the Boyle Heights warehouse.

Julia Wick

Jul 22, 2026

Mejia Backs Raman, Uniting Two City Hall Pariahs

Fresh off his victory, City Controller Kenneth Mejia backs Nithya Raman: ‘Nithya will bring the change we need at City Hall.’

Matt Hamilton

Jul 16, 2026

We Found L.A. Politicians’ Yelp Reviews

Then built an interactive map of the 100+ ratings.

Tomo Chien

Jul 9, 2026

The Endorsement Vacuum

Politicos bemoan the first modern election where the L.A. Times made no local endorsements.

Matt Hamilton

Jun 17, 2026

Maxine Waters, Dr. Dre face off in fight over Compton school bond

A 70-year-old high school without a cafeteria and a $360 million bond measure are fueling a political battle in Compton.

Matt Hamilton

Jun 1, 2026

A Changing of the Guard in South L.A.

The story of this year’s Council District 9 election is also a story of demographic change: After more than a half-century of Black representation, all six of the candidates on the ballot are Latino.

Julia Wick

May 29, 2026

Be The Savior of the Left: Raman Campaign Urged Huang to Drop Out

In an effort to consolidate support on the left, Nithya Raman’s campaign staff pushed activist Rae Huang to drop out. Huang refused.

Matt Hamilton

May 28, 2026

'He’s Kind of an Evil Genius'

'The Hills' cast and crew weigh Spencer Pratt for mayor.

Amy Kaufman

May 27, 2026

Where Bass Is Winning

The mayor is attracting the support of Latino voters — and her allies are spending heavily to make sure they turn out.

Maeve Reston

May 27, 2026

The Democrats (and ex-Democrats) Voting for Spencer Pratt

How the reality TV star has wooed blue-leaning voters frustrated by homelessness and fed up with the Democratic establishment.

Matt Hamilton

May 22, 2026

A Dogfight Over Animal Voters

Candidates are vying for a small but passionate bloc of animal welfare voters as the mayoral primary election enters its final weeks.

Antonia Cereijido

May 20, 2026

What Mayoral Ad Campaign?

In 2022, Angelenos couldn’t escape their mayoral candidates; this time around, they can barely find them.

Maeve Reston

May 14, 2026

Is L.A. Finally Wresting Political Power Back from the Bay Area?

With Xavier Becerra now the presumptive frontrunner in the governor’s race, California Dems could elect a (sort of) Angeleno for the first time in a generation.

Julia Wick

May 13, 2026

Trump's Man in L.A.

Bill Essayli is the face of Trump’s immigration and fraud crackdown in Southern California. Defending his own family’s fraud case, with the ACLU’s help, pitted him against the office he now leads.

Matt Hamilton

Apr 21, 2026

He’s 84. He’s Facing Misconduct Charges. He Wants Your Vote.

Is Judge Robert Draper too old, or ill, to serve until age 90? He doesn’t think so. A young prosecutor is trying to oust him from the bench.

Matt Hamilton

Apr 14, 2026

Why USC Really Spiked the Gubernatorial Debate

“I was concerned that the debate was going to become a debate about the debate, instead of a debate about the issues,” the school’s president said.

Tomo Chien

Mar 24, 2026

Five Days That Blew Up The L.A. Mayoral Race

How a handful of strange bedfellows, united by ambition and frustration with the mayor’s leadership, scrambled to marshal a challenge to Mayor Karen Bass.

Julia Wick

Mar 19, 2026