Meet Juanita Lopez, Candidate For Los Angeles Mayor

LOS ANGELES, CA — Juanita Lopez is vying to be elected as the Los Angeles mayor.

In the June 2 primary, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass will face a challenge from 13 other candidates as she seeks a second term. Among them is Lopez.

Learn more about Lopez's goals for Los Angeles:

What is your educational background?

I am a political scientist graduate from University of California, Irvine. I have another degree in social and behavioral sciences.

What is your professional background?

I started my career at First Intersate Bank in Los Angeles. I was a manger in operations, balancing end-of-day branch totals in Southern California. I was also responsible for international currency exchange. Every account balanced to the penny.

At the Federal Reserve Bank, I managed multi-million dollar accounts, emphasizing accountability. I prioritize transparency and ethical standards for other financial institutions in Southern California.

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

What are the top three issues facing Los Angeles right now?

Key issues facing cities like Los Angeles include:

High Taxes: This drives businesses and restaurants to close, affecting residents' choices between food, housing, and bare necessities. It also increases rents due to high property tax increases.

Environmental Concerns: Los Angeles struggles with significant litter and trash, showing negligence from city leaders. Including homeless encampments and RVs in the streets.

Infrastructure: The city suffers from deteriorating infrastructure, including potholes, sidewalks, and transit stops.

What is one specific policy you would implement in your first 100 days?

For community empowerment, I will lower the sales tax to 8% to help small businesses, restaurants, and local stores. City Hall should cut costs instead of burdening taxpayers.

I will ensure budget transparency by publicly sharing the city budget every quarter until the fiscal year ends. Every tax dollar will be accounted for.

What is your plan to reduce homelessness, and how would you measure success after one year?

Homeless individuals will be fingerprinted to check for warrants. Those refusing help to become self-sufficient may be detained, and a judge could order them to detox. If they can't care for themselves, a judge may assign them to permanent supportive housing. Encampments will be cleared.

Homeless individuals will be treated with dignity and will no longer sleep on the streets. Hire social workers to assist them until they secure a job and housing. To reduce costs, those receiving social security benefits will use that money to support their stay in permanent supportive housing.

What is one specific change you would make to improve public safety?

I will reinstate and strictly enforce the no-littering law. This will enable the removal of tents, encampments, and RVs. I will not defund the police. There will be law and order for the safety of all Angelenos and tourists.

How would you improve transparency or accountability at City Hall?

I will ensure budget transparency by publicly sharing the city budget every quarter until the fiscal year ends. Every tax dollar will be accounted for.

Why are you a better choice than your opponents?

I am not a career politician. I stand for tax reductions, transparency, accountability, and a clean city. I have no endorsements to avoid owing favors. I offer unique experience and skills, including cross-industry knowledge and specialized work experience in financial institutions, along with degrees that others do not have. I am the people's mayor.