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WESTSIDE - Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John McKinney, the surging second-place finisher in the June 2nd Primary race for LA City Attorney, conducted a walking tour of "Skid Row" today, the unofficial name for the Downtown neighborhood officially known as Central City East.
Skid Row contains one of the largest stable populations of homeless people in the United States, estimated at over 4,400, and has been known for its condensed homeless population since the 1930s.
McKinney is a veteran prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office who has emerged as a surging candidate in the 2026 race for Los Angeles City Attorney, beating out incumbent Hydee Feldstein-Soto and finishing second to progressive Marissa Roy.
McKinney has served as a deputy district attorney for nearly 30 years, prosecuting violent crime, gang cases, and homicides. He has handled roughly 100 jury trials, including about 40 murder cases. Before running for City Attorney, he headed the District Attorney's Bureau of Specialized Prosecutions, overseeing units handling gang homicides, sex crimes, juvenile prosecutions, and other major criminal matters.
McKinney was among the prosecutors involved in the murder case against the killer of Nipsey Hussle and also prosecuted the killing of Xinran Ji, a USC graduate student whose murder drew national attention.
With public safety as the cornerstone of the McKinney campaign, he believes in far more aggressive prosecution of misdemeanor crimes involving illegal firearms, retail theft and repeat offenders.
McKinney is without question the "law and order" candidate to succeed Feldstein-Soto.
McKinney emphasized his courtroom experience rather than civil litigation experience, arguing that the City Attorney should have a strong prosecutorial background.
LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and the Los Angeles Police Protective League (PPL) are two of his key endorsers.
McKinney dismisses the notion of homelessness and encampments as being unsolvable, but rather "a failure of public policy and leadership."
McKinney is committed to a different approach to solve this street crisis that has in many ways consumed Los Angeles over the last four years.
"Homelessness is a solvable issue with the right approach and the right people holding office," offered the candidate.
“The City Attorney is a high-profile elected position, and our residents are demanding action, transparency and accountability. As City Attorney, I would have the ability to highlight this or any issue that is impacting our city. Los Angeles deserves better."
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of the Westside and a regular contributor to City Watch LA. Have a take or tip on the race for Los Angeles City Attorney, contact him via e-mail at [email protected]. )
