Being Mayor of Los Angeles

Being mayor of Los Angeles is all about public service. There are no rewards.

Mayor Eric Garcetti cannot run again in 2022 due to being termed out. Thank goodness for term limits.

Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León  is the latest local household name jumping into the fight to become the city’s next mayor, joining an already crowded field.

De León is joining an already long list of candidates.

Fellow City Councilman Joe Buscaino has been campaigning for months. So has L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer.

Jessica Lall, of the L.A.-based Central City Association, recently announced her candidacy. As has San Fernando Valley real-estate broker Mel Wilson.

Congresswoman Karen Bass is said to be considering a run at the mayor’s office. Billionaire developer Rick Caruso is reportedly also considering a run. Austin Beutner, the former superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District, is also being mentioned as another candidate for mayor.

While being mayor of the second largest city in the country in the most populous county in the country (10 million people) might seem like a powerful position, the mayor has limited authority.  The city council holds the power.

The issues are homelessness, lack of affordable housing, poor maintenance of streets, high crime, high unemployment (9.7%). Why anyone would want this job is a mystery to me.  It has not been a stepping stone to a more significant position.   

So why pursue the job? Very good salary ($308,214) and prestige.