Despite being outspent in nearly every race, progressive candidates in Los Angeles made a strong showing in the March 5 election, with several either winning outright or forcing opponents into runoffs.
The results, though surprising to some, suggest L.A.’s political shift to the left shows little sign of slowing.
“I’m personally shocked at how well progressives did,” said David Levitus of left-leaning activist group L.A. Forward. “I was very nervous in the weeks leading up to this election just because of the low turnout.”
In what some experts say is a maturing of the progressive movement, candidates and organizations were able to stage strong grassroots door-knocking efforts across multiple campaigns. One organization launched an independent expenditure campaign for the first time, sending out mailers to counteract a negative campaign against a progressive candidate by the police union.
Progressive candidates also argue their message is resonating with voters. It’s a message that focuses on increasing tenants rights and more aggressively building affordable housing; decreasing the use of an anti-camping law against unhoused people; shrinking the size of the L.A. Police Department’s budget; expanding environmental protections; and increasing efforts to combat climate change.
It was also an anti-establishment message in an age of growing cynicism toward politics.
“I think that people were ready for change,” said candidate Jilian Burgos, who is headed for a runoff against a better funded candidate in District 2. “I think that they are tired of the status quo.”
How candidates fared in key races
Voter turnout in the Primary…
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