Juanita Lopez, Los Angeles mayor candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire – Daily News

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Juanita Lopez

Current job title: Political Scientist

Age: 57

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Los Angeles

Campaign website or social media: juanitaformayor.com

What are the three most urgent challenges facing Los Angeles, and what actions would you take in your first year to address them? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

1. Clean city: I will operate the sanitation department 24/7 and create smaller departments in different council districts to ensure citywide service availability. I will collaborate with the County Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff to allow inmates with sentences of two years or less to clean our streets and parks.

• Logistics: Participants must be authorized to work in the U.S. and will adhere to all labor laws, including eight-hour shifts and breaks. Each day worked will count as a day off their sentence. Individuals convicted of severe crimes such as murder, rape or pedophilia will be excluded from this program.

• Support: The city will provide uniforms and boots, and participants will earn $1 for each day worked to help cover basic needs upon release.

• Future opportunity: Participants will receive a letter of recommendation and priority for job openings within the sanitation department. They can also access resources like Homeboy Industries to aid in becoming self-sufficient.

2. Tax reform: I will lower the sales tax to 8%, helping restaurants and small businesses survive and providing tax relief. City Hall should cut its budget rather than passing costs onto taxpayers, visitors or tourists.

3. Financial transparency: I will publish the city budget every quarter. At the end of the fiscal year, I will detail where tax dollars were spent and what funds remain. My aim is to ensure complete transparency and establish a system of checks and balances.

Los Angeles faces ongoing budget pressures while demand for funding continues in areas such as public safety, homelessness and infrastructure. How would you approach balancing these priorities? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

I will clean City Hall and reduce funding to ineffective non-profits like LAHSA and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, which received a $107 million contract.

I will collaborate with City Council members to identify and address potholes, sidewalks and infrastructure issues. I will personally inspect these areas.

I will enforce the no-littering law and remove homeless encampments.

I will establish a database with photos and fingerprints to track homeless individuals and check for outstanding warrants nationwide.

In the aftermath of the Palisades fire, questions were raised about emergency preparedness and transparency. What changes, if any, would you support to improve disaster response and public accountability after major emergencies? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

I will take full responsibility for any wrongdoing. Keep the reservoir full. Check fire hydrants to ensure they work. Maintain enough water for emergencies. Cut the red tape to start rebuilding. If I promised to assist with building permits, I would have kept my word.

If elected/reelected, which city department or agency would you prioritize for reform or improvement, and why? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

Reforming the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority is a priority. There are discrepancies and a lack of trust, and they are not effectively housing the homeless. I will work with the city controller’s office to conduct audits and review all non-profits receiving tax dollars to ensure funds benefit the community.

What steps would you take to improve transparency and public trust in City Hall? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I will be approachable and uphold an open-door policy. I will hold monthly coffee meetings with the public at City Hall for discussions and feedback. I will not use bodyguards, except during street clean-ups or large events. I will take a hands-on approach and prioritize transparency. My experience at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (Los Angeles Branch) emphasizes the importance of transparency, which I will bring to City Hall.