The L.A. City Attorney’s office works on issues closest to the everyday lives of downtown residents– petty theft, vandalism, simple assault, brandishing a weapon, disorderly conduct, trespassing, public drunkenness and drug use, noise and public nuisance, illegal dumping, building code violations, homelessness, consumer protections, unfair business practices, and criminal misdemeanors. In other words, the things we complain about the most. If any of the above matter to you, then read on.
The two candidates in the November General Election for L.A. City Attorney are John McKinney and Marissa Roy. Both joined DTLA RA, SPNA, and others to answer questions on 10 topics during the 50-minute City Attorney Candidate Forum on Tuesday, October 6. Below is the video now available on YouTube - forum recording.
Each candidate answered questions regarding the following topics.
§ Illegal dumping and copper wire theft
§ Blighted and dangerous buildings (such as the 11th Street fire block)
§ Re-instatement of the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program
§ City liability payments
§ Priorities for the City Attorney’s Office
§ LGBTQ + rights
§ Misdemeanor prosecution – shoplifting, vandalism, trespassing
§ 41.18 Enforcement related to unsheltered homelessness
§ Diversion + CARE Court for severe substance use disorders and untreated mental illness
§ Three actions in the first year of term
Background:
Marissa Roy serves as a Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice. She previously served as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles and worked as outside legal counsel for the County of Los Angeles.
Her campaign focused on using the City Attorney's office to defend civil rights, litigate against corporate wage theft, protect immigrant communities, and challenge federal policies. During her previous municipal tenure, she focused on enforcing labor standards and public integrity suits.
Supporters: California Attorney General Rob Bonta, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, and the Los Angeles Democratic Socialists of America.
Donations – raised over $1 million in contributions; $1.12 million was raised by outside groups.
Expenditures from outside groups:
§ Teachers and Communities United for Estuardo Mazariegos for City Council and Marissa Roy for City Attorney 2026
§ United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and ACCE Los Angeles (Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment).
§ Labor Union PACs - SEIU Locals: SEIU Local 721, SEIU Local 121RN, SEIU Local 2015, SEIU Local 99, SEIU Local 1000, SEIU USWW, and SEIU-UHW.
§ L.A. County Federation of Labor
§ AFSCME District 36
§ Teamsters Joint Council 42
§ UNITE HERE! Local 11
§ United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 6
§ Communications Workers of America (CWA)
§ Working Families Party
§ Democratic Socialists of America - Los Angeles (DSA LA)
§ California Women's List
§ Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project
§ LA Forward & Ground Game LA
§ Stonewall Democratic Club and the L.A. County Democratic Party
John McKinney spent nearly three decades at the Los Angeles County District
Attorney's Office, having joined in 1997. He currently serves as Bureau Director for Specialized Operations, where he oversees hundreds of deputy district attorneys. Over his career, he has prosecuted dozens of major felony trials
His campaign focused on courtroom trial experience, prosecution of misdemeanor crime, public safety, law enforcement accountability, and executive management within municipal legal departments.
Supporters are various law enforcement groups, municipal leaders, and law enforcement figures, including L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and former District Attorneys Steve Cooley and Jackie Lacey.
Donations - raised $485,000 in contributions; $4.12 million was raised by outside groups including $2 million for a political action committee run by Airbnb.
Expenditures from outside groups:
§ Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) PAC (represents rank-and-file LAPD officers)
§ Police Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) PAC
§ Los Angeles Airport Police Officers Association (LAAPOA) PAC
§ Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Jobs PAC
§ VAL*PAC (San Fernando Valley Leadership PAC) (supporting business and civic priorities across the Valley)
§ Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA) PAC
§ Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) PAC
§ Central City Association (CCA) PAC
§ Los Angeles County Taxpayers Association
§ Reform California
For more information - the DTLA Voter Guide by DTLA RA (Downtown Los Angeles Residents Association) focused on five key races that matter in DTLA including City Attorney.
Compiled by Debra Shrout