As an expert in the field of politics, I have closely observed the politicians in Los Angeles County, California and their roles in shaping the county's political landscape. With a population of over 10 million people, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the United States. It is no surprise that the county is home to a diverse group of politicians who represent the interests of their constituents.
The County Board of Supervisors
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is the governing body of the county and is responsible for making policy decisions and managing the county's budget. The board consists of five members, each representing a different district within the county.Currently, the board is made up of four Democrats and one Republican. The current members of the board are:
- Hilda Solis, representing District 1, was elected in 2014 and is the first Latina to serve on the board. She previously served as a member of President Obama's cabinet as the Secretary of Labor.
- Mark Ridley-Thomas, representing District 2, has been on the board since 2008. He previously served on the Los Angeles City Council and in the California State Assembly.
- Sheila Kuehl, representing District 3, was elected in 2014 and is the first openly gay member of the board. She previously served in both houses of the California State Legislature.
- Janice Hahn, representing District 4, was elected in 2016. She previously served on the Los Angeles City Council and in the United States House of Representatives.
- Kathryn Barger, representing District 5, was elected in 2016 and is the only Republican on the board. She previously served as Chief Deputy Supervisor for her predecessor, Michael D.
Antonovich.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff
The Los Angeles County Sheriff is responsible for law enforcement in the county, including unincorporated areas and contract cities. The current sheriff is Alex Villanueva, who was elected in 2018. He is the first Democrat to hold the position in over 100 years. Villanueva has been a controversial figure since taking office, with clashes between him and the Board of Supervisors over budget cuts and other issues. He has also faced criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in county jails.The Los Angeles County District Attorney
The Los Angeles County District Attorney is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in the county.The current district attorney is George Gascón, who was elected in 2020. Gascón is a former police officer and served as district attorney in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles. Gascón has made headlines since taking office for his progressive policies, including ending cash bail and declining to prosecute certain low-level offenses. However, he has faced pushback from law enforcement and some community members who believe his policies are putting public safety at risk.
The Los Angeles County Assessor
The Los Angeles County Assessor is responsible for determining the value of all taxable property in the county. The current assessor is Jeffrey Prang, who was elected in 2014. Prang previously served on the West Hollywood City Council and in the California State Assembly. Prang has been praised for modernizing the assessor's office and making it more transparent.He has also faced criticism for his handling of property tax assessments, with some accusing him of favoring wealthy property owners.
The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector
The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector is responsible for collecting and investing county funds and managing property tax collections. The current treasurer and tax collector is Keith Knox, who was appointed in 2019 after the retirement of his predecessor, Joseph Kelly. Knox has over 30 years of experience in public finance and has been praised for his efforts to modernize the office and improve customer service. He has also faced challenges, such as managing the county's finances during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Los Angeles County Board of Education
The Los Angeles County Board of Education is responsible for overseeing the county's public education system, which includes over 80 school districts. The board consists of seven members, each representing a different district within the county. The current members of the board are:- Scott Schmerelson, representing District 3, was elected in 2015. He previously served as a teacher and principal in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
- Jackie Goldberg, representing District 5, was elected in 2019. She previously served on the Los Angeles City Council and in the California State Assembly.
- George McKenna, representing District 7, was elected in 2014. He previously served as a principal and superintendent in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
- Isidro Armenta, representing District 1, was appointed in 2020 to fill a vacancy.
He previously served as a teacher and principal in the Montebello Unified School District.
- Debra Duardo, representing District 4, was appointed in 2016 and re-elected in 2018. She previously served as a teacher and administrator in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
- Eric Preven, representing District 6, was appointed in 2020 to fill a vacancy. He previously served as a journalist and political activist.
- Tanya Ortiz Franklin, representing District 2, was appointed in 2020 to fill a vacancy. She previously served as a teacher and administrator in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The Future of Politics in Los Angeles County
As with any political landscape, there are always changes on the horizon.In the coming years, we can expect to see new faces and new ideas emerge as politicians in Los Angeles County, California continue to shape the county's future. With such a diverse population and a wide range of issues to address, it's clear that the current politicians have their work cut out for them. However, I am confident that they will continue to work towards creating a better and more equitable Los Angeles County for all its residents.
