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PERSPECTIVE - As we stagger to the Los Angeles elections set for June 2, 2026, I am left wondering whether the results will serve as a catalyst to restore the city’s vitality, breathe new life into its civic and cultural environment allowing it to reclaim its reputation for vibrancy and greatness, or continue the current management hollowness which has led to stagnation and decline.
Will a person of vision and dreams forge new coalitions and govern skillfully, creating growth and other immense tangible achievements as was done when Mayor Tom Bradley embarked on the difficult journey to transform the city? Bradley’s legacy serves as a reminder of what is possible when bold leadership meets unwavering commitment.
Optimistically, a positive effect can result from the election of a new mayor. But conversely, a mayor can still emerge who lacks knowledge of the numerous challenges facing the city and is unable and inexperienced to address the pressing issues with the urgency required. Voters always make the difference and for that purpose we will try to provide unbiased information in this space that can be effective and contribute to the common good. We will provide analysis of candidates’ positions.
However, it is best to start by examining the complex and interrelated challenges confronting Los Angeles. These tasks encompass several major domains, including economic, societal, environmental, and infrastructural issues. By understanding these interconnected areas, we can better assess the city’s current state and the hurdles that any future leadership will need to address.
Ten days following election for mayor, Los Angeles will host the highly coveted U.S. Men’s National Team which will play Paraguay in the opening match in the FIFA World Cup at the SoFi Stadium. One day before, the official kick-off of the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world will take place in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium.
Organizers are preparing massive fan festivals, transportation alterations, and security measures to welcome millions of visitors. Although Los Angeles knows how to be on the world stage, potential massive traffic disruptions and unprecedented gridlock may mar the image. Hopefully, careful groundwork will have taken place using real-time intelligence, bus, and metro schedule augmentations, as well as data-driven planning tools to ensure satisfactory results.
The tournament is projected to deliver $594 million in economic benefit to Los Angeles County—more than double the 2022 Super Bowl’s impact, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is another story for the new elected mayor. The International Olympic Committee was in town to review L.A.'s hosting duties this past summer. Visiting members were promised advanced planning for the Games and toured the new Metro transit center designed to streamline traffic and improve access for millions of spectators and athletes.
But critical parts of Metro’s Olympics plan are missing, and Metro’s projected budget deficit over the next five years is massive. The agency is at least one year behind schedule to detail how it will deal with leasing 2700 buses, hire, train and certify thousands of drivers, mechanics and other personnel with a fund requirement of about $2 billion. Moving thousands of tourists and athletes around the city on a timely and efficient basis will require massive transportation improvements that will be on the elected mayor’s plate.
There are other challenges facing the elected mayor, such as the pressing housing affordability and shortage. According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation 2025 Economic Forecast, only 11% of households can afford a median‑priced home, and residential construction is far below what’s needed to meet demand.
Further, although population decline has stabilized, the housing supply has not caught up, and high rents, overcrowding, long commutes, and continued pressure on homelessness require immediate attention.
The issue of rising unemployment and slowing job growth are other nagging problems the new city leadership must address immediately. Unemployment, for example, rose from 5.7 percent in 2024 to 6.1 percent in 2025, and job growth slowed with an expected 0.7 percent this year.
Los Angeles is slowly rebuilding after the Palisades and Eaton Fires, which caused major economic and infrastructure damage, but there is a great deal more to do. So much, in fact, that Gov. Newsom has sent a letter to both Democratic and Republican congressional leaders formally requesting $33.9 billion in federal aid. The fire response, he said, has shifted into long-term recovery and the focus was on rebuilding homes, schools, utilities, and critical infrastructure while also supporting small businesses and job growth in the impacted region.
Facing the newly elected mayor will also be a matter of doing business in this city. Economic evaluations have pointed to the high cost of doing business in Los Angeles with indications that operating a business here is about 20 percent more than the national average. The resultant impact is business closures, slower investment, and company relocations to cheaper regions.
The critical issues do not end here. Transit expansion is behind schedule, aging water, power, and infrastructure are struggling with population density and lack of funding. Worrisome is also the fact that the area’s economy while it has a high-productive sector, like aerospace, construction, hospitality and government-funded services are facing obstacles. Income inequality continues to widen, and many residents feel they have been left behind.
All the pressures noted here will be heaved on the shoulders of the newly elected mayor, who must navigate carefully with high leadership qualities, dedication, commitment and resiliency. But it is more involved than that. The new mayor must also talk about real concerns with people. The talk must be authentic, and the appeal must be honest and straightforward. Voters know a phony when they see one. Support will be given to someone who is reasonable, strong, decent, and emphatic and understands the challenges facing Los Angeles.
Is being mayor of Los Angeles an impossible job? Mayor Bradley said it best in 1984: “There are no impossible dreams for possibility thinkers.”
(Nick Patsaouras is an electrical engineer and civic leader whose firm has shaped projects across residential, commercial, medical, educational, institutional, and entertainment sectors. 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 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.")
