At present, just two incumbents at City Hall are running for reelection without facing any opposition.

So, how did the councillor do? Tim Makosker and Hugo Soto-Martinez—are they managing to avoid challengers for now? What might they share in common?

On the surface, it doesn’t seem like much. One is a grandfather who seems to forget all about the city hall business more often than not. The other is a millennial leftist who won his current position three years ago.

Makosker, a City Hall veteran, hails from one of the more conservative neighborhoods, stretching from Watts through the Harbor Gateway and into San Pedro. In contrast, Soto-Martinez represents the city’s most progressive district, known for its youthful and vibrant atmosphere.

In this new chapter of Los Angeles politics, where incumbents appear more secure than they used to be, it is quite unusual to see both proceed without facing challenges.

That said, it’s quite possible that one or both of them could encounter competition before the primary election in June, which, by the way, is still several months away. For now, though, let’s consider some factors that might keep potential challengers at bay.

• Both councillors have strong backing from labor groups, which are a formidable force in local politics. Makosker’s reelection campaign has already secured contributions from various union members, while Soto-Martinez previously worked with Unite, a group heavily influencing the council. This could deter potential challengers as labor organizations ramp up involvement.
• Four current council members, including Soto-Martinez, successfully unseated incumbents by campaigning from the left, gaining traction through digital outreach and grassroots support. It’s true that someone could theoretically succeed without being aligned with the millennial democratic socialist movement, yet it has been decades since anyone has managed to do so. Regarding Soto-Martinez, given his past achievements, there isn’t much room left for challengers at the moment.
• San Pedro serves as both the financial and power base of the 15th Council District, and it’s where the Makosker name is quite prevalent. He seems to be well-liked in his community. While there might be opponents who emerge from Watts, Harbor Gateway, or Wilmington, it’s tough to envision someone from San Pedro challenging him and overcoming the local political dynamics at play.

All of this paints a picture that something might shift in the coming months, but as of now, both Soto-Martinez and Makosker are navigating toward new terms without significant hurdles.

Soto-Martinez expressed, “Since we took office, we’ve worked to build a coalition that supports cities focused on workers. We’re proud of our first three years, yet we acknowledge there’s more work to do ahead.”

Makosker emphasized his efforts to secure resources for every area in the district, stating, “Representing the community is among the greatest honors of my professional life. As long as I hold this responsibility, I will strive to uplift our neighborhoods and deliver results for our residents.”

The state of play

– Convention Competition: LA political leaders, guided by their policy experts, have taken a substantial risk. Billions are being invested in the aging Convention Center to invigorate downtown and bolster the local economy. The city council has approved a $2.6 billion expansion plan with an 11-2 vote, amidst significant pressure from labor groups, with Councillors Nicha Raman and Katy Yaroslavsky being the only dissenters.

– Mejia defends: Former assembly member Isadore Hall announced a candidacy for urban controller this week, suggesting a competitive race ahead.

– Where’s Monica? After speculation about her future in 2026, Councillor Monica Rodriguez has officially filed documents for her council reelection, but avoided confirming whether she had ruled out a run for the controller or mayor.

– Billable times: Gibson, Dan and Crutcher’s hefty legal fees are making headlines due to a high-stakes homeless case. Nevertheless, the council approved a five-fold increase in contracts with law firms this week.

– Still, permanent fire chief: The council voted to extend Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva’s contract for another six months.

– Criticism of the muzzle? New policy mandates that LA County oversight officers must “review, approve, and coordinate” communications before they can be made public, leading critics to raise concerns about its implications.

– Volleyball Battle: Encino Neighborhood Council Member Josh Sutter announced his intention to challenge incumbent Brad Sherman in next year’s election. Former staff of Sherman, Jake Lakoff and Jake Levine, are also in the running.

– Competition: More details are surfacing about the New York Post’s expansion into the West, with multiple job listings for full-time reporters covering Los Angeles City Hall.

– Take a seat: A year after virtual meetings, the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council will resume face-to-face meetings at Boyle Heights City Hall starting next week.

Quick Hit

• Where is the inside? The mayor’s office reports that Bass’ Initiative is addressing an RV camp in Harbor City.
• About Dockets next week: The city council will not meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with a session scheduled for Friday in Van Nuys.

Let’s stay in touch

That wraps things up for this week! Feel free to send your questions, comments, or gossip to laontherecord@latimes.com. If a friend forwarded this email to you, sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox every Saturday morning.