Marissa Roy Will Run for Los Angeles City Attorney
The 34-year-old Deputy Attorney General officially announced her candidacy for the upcoming November 2026 election.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Deputy Attorney General Marissa Roy, 34, has announced her campaign for Los Angeles City Attorney in the November 2026 election. She is campaigning on a platform focused on corporate accountability and reforming how the city manages its legal liability.
Why it matters
The race centers on allegations that the incumbent city attorney has failed to control rising legal costs and liability payouts. Roy aims to leverage civil enforcement to target corporate misconduct and modernize office oversight.
Liability payouts tied to the LAPD currently account for one-third of the city's total legal expenses. Roy has pledged to open a new investigation into the Lineage Logistics fire immediately upon taking office.
The players
Marissa Roy
She is a 34-year-old Deputy Attorney General currently running for the office of Los Angeles City Attorney.
Donald Trump
As the current President of the United States, he has been the subject of over 80 lawsuits filed by the state of California.
Los Angeles City Attorney's Office
This municipal department holds jurisdiction over local misdemeanors and manages the city's legal liability.
The details
Roy proposes using civil enforcement authority to sue corporations for practices like wage theft and illegal housing conditions. She also aims to adopt case evaluation panels similar to those utilized by the D.C. Attorney General's Office to improve departmental efficiency.
Timeline
The Los Angeles general election will occur in November 2026.
A court order regarding LAPD non-lethal weapon usage was issued last year.
Lawsuits involving LAPD non-lethal weapon usage occurred in 2000, 2007, and 2020.
Legal Context
This race mirrors broader trends in municipal law where candidates increasingly utilize civil enforcement to bypass traditional prosecutorial focuses. This follows the pattern set by the California Department of Justice's recent litigation against landlord practices, extending the state's reach into housing oversight.
The proposed changes to the City Attorney's office could lead to stricter regulatory enforcement against local landlords and corporations accused of wage theft. Residents may also see shifts in how the city manages liability payments, potentially impacting future municipal budgets.
The takeaway
Roy represents a push toward active civil litigation as a primary tool for municipal accountability. Voters will decide in 2026 whether to move toward this activist approach or maintain the current office strategy.
Further reading
Learn more about local legal proceedings in the Criminal Justice section.
More information
For more information on the campaign platform, visit the Candidate campaign website.
Live Poll
Do you believe a candidate's professional background is the most important factor in managing city lawsuits?
