On the last day before the deadline, I announced my run for Mayor of Los Angeles.

Even for me, the decision felt unexpected - but it also felt necessary. Over the past few years, I’ve had a growing sense that our city is falling behind. That feeling sharpened after last January’s fires, the city’s slow response, and the lack of accountability at City Hall.

The challenges go far beyond the fires. Housing costs keep rising while housing production - the only real way to reduce costs - has stalled. Unsheltered homelessness has declined in some areas, but not in proportion to the enormous public spending. Systems remain inefficient and unaccountable, eroding public trust.

Violent crime is down, yet people do not feel safe, with slow 911 response times and neighborhoods left in the dark by broken streetlights. At the same time, an adversarial federal government is sending ICE agents into our communities, and too many residents feel unprotected.

Angelenos know this city is not being led with the clarity or urgency this moment demands. Instead of confronting reality, City Hall made fiscal decisions that weakened our budget and our ability to function - just as needs have reached their highest point. The system now works harder to protect itself than to deliver for the people.

None of this is inevitable.

We can meet this moment with honesty and urgency. We can lower rents, protect tenants, clean our streets, house the homeless, support small businesses, keep people safe, and prepare for emergencies before they happen. We can fight for a bigger, more joyful future for Los Angeles.

But that requires leadership willing to demand more than the status quo. For me, that meant stepping up.

I’m running because Los Angeles needs leadership that takes responsibility for results. We cannot keep asking people to pay more and expect less.

We deserve a city that works.

Over the past five years on the City Council, I’ve focused on delivering compassionate and effective homelessness services, building affordable housing, and acting with urgency on climate. I’ve put everyday Angelenos first and I’ve delivered results.

The political establishment will spend millions to stop all this - but with your help, we can beat them.

Los Angeles is a special place with incredible people. This campaign is about honoring what this city has given us - and giving back what it deserves.

With hope and gratitude,