Los Angeles to Elect City Attorney in November
Voters will choose between John McKinney and Marissa Roy to serve as the city top legal official this November.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should your city attorney prioritize aggressive crime prosecution over diversion programs for nonviolent offenders?
Los Angeles voters are set to decide the next city attorney on November 3, 2026. The election follows the primary defeat of incumbent Hydee Feldstein Soto earlier this year.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine the city legal strategy, with candidates offering contrasting approaches to public safety, tenant rights, and litigation management.
A recent UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll shows Marissa Roy leading John McKinney by 10 percentage points. The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
The players
John McKinney
He is a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney who has served in the legal profession for 30 years.
Marissa Roy
She serves as a deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice.
Hydee Feldstein Soto
She is the incumbent city attorney who was ousted from the office during the primary election.
The details
John McKinney, a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney with 30 years of legal experience, has pledged to address retail theft and freeway protests. Deputy attorney general Marissa Roy aims to expand diversion programs for nonviolent offenders and manage civil litigation in-house to protect tenants and workers.
Timeline
Hydee Feldstein Soto was ousted in the primary election in Spring 2026.
The Los Angeles city attorney election occurs on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The race marks a significant departure from the previous administration, as both candidates propose shifting the core priorities of the city attorney office relative to the city charter mandate. Opposition groups have raised concerns about whether a change in leadership will disrupt existing legal institutional operations.
The election result will directly impact the city approach to retail theft, protest response, and tenant rights. Voters should review the candidates' specific platforms on civil litigation and diversion programs to understand how their legal representation will change starting in 2027.
The takeaway
Voters should examine how the candidates' opposing views on public safety and civil litigation align with their personal priorities for the city. Tracking the final days of the campaign can clarify how each candidate intends to manage the department budget and policy implementation.
What happens next
The election will be held on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more on upcoming races, visit the Los Angeles Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Times.
Live Poll
Should your city attorney prioritize aggressive crime prosecution over diversion programs for nonviolent offenders?
