Imagine if Los Angeles fully activated the voting power of its Latino majority

Attendees at a voter registration event in Tulare completed a mock-up ballot, simulating the voting process as they would in a general election on Nov. 1, 2023. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters Welcome to CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering statewide issues that affect all Californians. Sign up for WeeklyMatters for a Saturday morning digest of the latest news and commentary from the Golden State. This story is part of California Voices, a commentary forum aiming to broaden our understanding of the state and spotlight Californians directly impacted by policy or its absence. Learn more here . How liberal is Los Angeles?

Even at first glance, the answer is: very. No Republicans hold city offices, and the Republican Party has ceased to play any meaningful role in Los Angeles governance or politics. The last Republican to be elected mayor was Richard Riordan, and he was reelected in 1997, nearly 30 years ago.

In fact, the city is even more liberal than its recent history suggests. Even Democrats are being pulled to the left , with recent council elections going to more liberal contenders and Democratic Socialists. Mayor Karen Bass would be the liberal, Democratic mayor of any […]

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