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NICK'S VIEW - Los Angeles County will soon reach a rare inflection point as it moves to elect a County Executive—an opportunity not merely to manage the future, but to reshape it.
The office will be powerful, second only to the governorship in its reach and authority. It sits at the center of the region’s civic structure, and many candidates will step forward as if summoned by the gravity of the moment. The first LA County Executive election will take place in 2028, coinciding with the presidential election cycle.
The position was established by 2024 Los Angeles County Measure G, formally known as the Los Angeles County Government Structure, Ethics and Accountability Charter Amendment. Voters approved the measure with a slim 51.62% voting yes. This measure also expands the Board of Supervisors from five to nine members with the new seats to be elected after the 2030 Census, during the 2032 election cycle.
The new executive will hold final authority over the county’s nearly $50 billion budget and be able to hire and fire leaders of dozens of countywide departments, powers long held by the supervisors. The new system will create a genuine separation of powers, much like the relationship between a governor and a legislature: the executive will oversee administration, while the supervisors will retain legislative authority.
A new office of this magnitude is certain to attract a cross‑section of political hopefuls since there is no incumbent, the power is enormous, and the winner will set precedent. Already there are names being publicly floated, reported, or discussed.
To be sure, Los Angeles County needs candidates grounded in public service, with fresh ideas, clear plans, and a real vision for the office. Opportunistic entrants will inevitably emerge—individuals who seek the attention of a high-profile race without a serious intent to win or govern. As is customary, some will drop out of the race before the filing date.
Of course, strong candidates will enter the race with clear advantages: name recognition, fundraising capacity, executive experience, established networks, and a defined constituency—the traditional signs of viability. Indeed, the credible contenders must rise above the noise and offer serious proposals for a county seeking direction, integrity, and innovation.
The chatter is beginning to quicken, rising in tempo like an overture, and we will keep a careful watch and report in this space as the names start to surface and the race is shaping up. Early speculation points to prominent regional figures, including termed-out supervisors, former local and state officials, and municipal leaders, though no official campaigns have been launched for the seat.
I anticipate that Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn, who introduced Measure G, helped shape it, and publicly campaigned for its passage, are likely contenders. Hahn and possible aspirant Sup. Kathryn Barger will be termed out by 2028 and bring decades of name recognition across large portions of the county.
High profile LA mayors, Eric Garcetti and Antonio Villaraigosa retain significant fundraising networks, labor ties, and immediate countywide name recognition, and must be listed on the top of any register. The emerging field must also include Councilmember Monica Rodriguez who consistently seeks fiscal accountability and pushes for audits, safeguards, and taxpayer‑protection measures.
A Garcetti, Villaraigosa, and Rodriguez race would showcase three distinct generations and philosophies of Los Angeles leadership, each defined by different governance styles, legacies, and operational priorities.
The post could surely attract figures like Austin Beutner and Miguel Santana. Beutner’s profile as LA City Administrative Officer and Superintendent of LAUSD shows a reasonable fit, while Santana, former LA City Administrative Officer with expertise in county and city budgeting, is directly aligned with the position.
Then there is Rick Caruso. He remains an outspoken critic of current city leadership, often commenting on housing, fire response, and public safety, while officially sitting out the 2026 mayoral and gubernatorial races. Some speculate he could become a behind-the-scenes force in the LA County Executive race—but will he enter the contest, or step away when the pressure rises?
Under Measure G, Los Angeles County’s first independent Ethics Commission will significantly change how the inaugural 2028 LA County Executive race is regulated and monitored. Historically, LA County did not have an independent ethics watchdog comparable to the City of Los Angeles Ethics Commission. Measure G created dedicated oversight that will reshape campaign finance rules, enforcement, and fundraising strategies for candidates seeking the county’s new top office.
For example, instead of relying only on the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) or internal county administration, the new independent commission can directly investigate campaign misconduct, finance violations, and conflicts of interest.
The commission will enforce stricter limits on contributions from entities or individuals seeking major county contracts, leases, or land-use permits, targeting long-standing “pay-to-play” fundraising practices in county politics. It will also tighten rules on registered county lobbyists who fundraise for, or bundle contributions on behalf of, County Executive candidates.
The LA County Executive election promises to be a dynamic contest, shaped by familiar and emerging voices, serious contenders and opportunistic entrants alike, all seeking to define a powerful office still in its infancy. Hang on for the ride!--
(Nick Patsaouras is an electrical engineer, civic leader, and a longtime public advocate. He ran for Mayor in 1993 with a focus on rebuilding L.A. through transportation after the 1992 civil unrest. He has served on major public boards, including the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Metro, and the Board of Zoning Appeals, helping guide infrastructure and planning policy in Los Angeles. He is the author of the book "The Making of Modern Los Angeles.")
