Kenneth Mejia Secures Endorsement in Los Angeles City Controller Race
Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia has received an endorsement from the Los Angeles Daily News as he seeks reelection, citing his commitment to transparency and accountability in city finances. Mejia, first elected in 2022, is running for a second term and faces challenges related to oversight of city spending, particularly in areas like homelessness and public safety.
Mejia’s First Term: A Focus on Oversight
Since assuming office on December 12, 2022, Kenneth Mejia has focused on increasing financial transparency and identifying areas of waste and fraud within the city government. He is the 20th City Controller of Los Angeles and the first Filipino American elected official in the city, as well as the first Asian American and youngest person to hold the position.
Mejia’s office has released several reports highlighting areas for improvement, including audits of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) regarding red zone parking tickets, and investigations into vendor fraud. He also initiated a Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA) Investigative Report and an Affordable Housing Oversight Audit.
Key Areas of Scrutiny
The Los Angeles Daily News endorsement highlights Mejia’s work in scrutinizing the city’s response to the homelessness crisis. He has been tasked with increased oversight of programs aimed at addressing homelessness, a critical issue facing Los Angeles.
Other areas of ongoing oversight include risk management practices to reduce liability payouts, and programs related to CARE/CARE+, which provide mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Background and Experience
Before entering politics, Mejia worked as an accountant, earning a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. He previously worked at Ernst & Young and a hedge fund. He co-founded the community volunteer organization We Can Make a Difference, focused on providing support to low-income and homeless individuals. He graduated from Woodbury University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2010.
Looking Ahead
As Mejia campaigns for reelection, he emphasizes his commitment to continuing his work on financial transparency and accountability. His office has several upcoming audits and reports planned, including those focused on LA Animal Services and further investigations into risk management practices. The outcome of the election will determine the future direction of financial oversight in Los Angeles.