The mayoral contest sits atop a city ballot loaded with competitive and consequential races, including these five standouts

The mayoral election isn’t the only race turning heads. From a handful of council member seats to Los Angeles’ acting lawyer, here are five more races to keep a careful eye on.

City Attorney

Incumbent Hydee Feldstein Soto’s achievements include taking on notorious human traffickers in South L.A., and she’s got the backing of figures including U.S. Representatives Ted Lieu and Robert Garcia. Her three challengers in the quest to be L.A.’s top lawyer include Marissa Roy, whose progressive prosecutor agenda is endorsed by the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. Both are prolific fundraisers, but the presence on the ballot of John McKinney and Aida Ashouri could push this into a November runoff (which occurs if no one surpasses 50%).

City Controller

Four years ago, newcomer Kenneth Mejia — with a campaign powered by billboards and goofy videos — beat a City Hall veteran for the post of L.A.’s financial watchdog. He’s earned fans for the databases posted on his website, but also critics who contend he’s needlessly combative in City Hall. He’s being challenged by real estate executive Zach Sokoloff, who by mid-April, had out-raised Mejia by a nearly five-to-one margin. Sokoloff also boasts the endorsement of the L.A. County Democratic party and Sen. Adam Schiff.

Council District 1

In 2022, DSA-backed Eunisses Hernandez shocked the political establishment by unseating an incumbent. Now, she faces four challengers — Lou Calanche, Raul Claros, Nelson Grande and Sylvia Robledo — who charge that her approaches to homelessness and crime have left portions of the Eastside district dirty and unsafe. A key battle point is MacArthur Park; the onetime gem is now known for garbage, blight and a preponderance of fentanyl addicts.

Council District 9

The South L.A. seat has been occupied by an African American for more than 60 years. That will change, as all six candidates seeking to replace termed-out Curren Price are Latino. Price deputy Jose Ugarte had raised $477,000 by mid-April — more than twice as much as his closest competitor, the DSA-endorsed Estuardo Mazariegos. Elmer Roldan, the head of a school dropout prevention nonprofit, had $115,000.

Council District 11

When progressive officeholder Mike Bonin stepped down in 2022, centrist Democrat Traci Park defeated a large field. Park has since been credited for cleaning up sprawling tent encampments throughout the Westside district and being a steady hand after the Palisades Fire. She is challenged by attorney Faizah Malik, a DSA-backed candidate who shares many of Bonin’s policies. It’s by far L.A.’s most expensive council race.