LOS ANGELES — With the June 2 primary election approaching, candidate Zach Sokoloff is positioning his campaign for Los Angeles City Controller as a referendum on fiscal accountability and the management of the city’s homelessness crisis.
Sokoloff, a Yale graduate and former public-school teacher who holds a juris doctor and Master of Business Administration from Harvard, has centered his platform on what he characterizes as the “poor management of taxpayer dollars.” Arguing that “the city is broken,” Sokoloff is seeking to unseat the incumbent, Kenneth Mejia, a member of the Green Party.
A Focus on Auditing and Homelessness
The core of Sokoloff’s critique involves the efficacy of the current Controller’s office. Sokoloff alleges that Mejia has failed to meet oversight requirements, specifically citing a lack of audits regarding city homelessness programs since 2024. According to Sokoloff, the city has spent over $3 billion on homelessness during the incumbent’s term, yet he argues the problem remains as severe as it was when Mejia took office.
Sokoloff also highlighted the oversight of Proposition HHH, a 2016 bond measure providing $1.6 billion for housing development. While the previous controller audited the fund twice, Sokoloff claims the current office has not conducted a single audit of the money. He further contrasted the current administration’s output with that of the previous officeholder, noting that the prior controller completed 108 audits over two terms, compared to 11 audits conducted by the current office in four years. Sokoloff expressed contention over the use of office funds for a personal gym at the City Controller’s office.
Regarding homelessness initiatives, Sokoloff raised concerns about “profligate spending” and noted reports of over a thousand vacant housing units. He pointed to a specific project in South L.A., acquired by the city for $5.3 million in 2020, which he stated has remained vacant for six years without the start of construction.
Endorsements and Campaign Strategy
Sokoloff is running as the only Democrat in the race and has secured a broad coalition of support. His endorsements include three former city controllers, the Police Protection League, the L.A. County Democratic Party, Sen. Adam Schiff, Representative Ted Lieu, and Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Sokoloff has signaled that he opposes further financial burdens on residents, such as the current streetlight assessment, if the city cannot demonstrate better management of existing funds.
Looking Ahead
As the primary draws near, the race could hinge on whether voters believe the city’s financial management requires a change in leadership. If Sokoloff’s message regarding the necessity of increased auditing and stricter oversight resonates with the electorate, he may successfully shift the focus of the Controller’s office toward his proposed reforms. Conversely, if voters prioritize the incumbent’s current platform, the office could continue its existing trajectory. The outcome of the June 2 primary is likely to determine which approach the city takes toward its fiscal and homelessness policies in the coming years.
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