Kenneth Mejia: LA's Fiscal Navigator
An in-depth exploration of the journey and impact of the Los Angeles City Controller.
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About Kenneth Mejia
Background
Kenneth Mejia, born November 7, 1990, is an American activist, accountant, and politician currently serving as the City Controller of Los Angeles since 2022. He is recognized as the first Filipino American elected official in the city of Los Angeles, the first Asian American elected to a citywide office, the youngest person to hold the position, and the first person of color to serve as City Controller in over a century.
Political Affiliations
Mejia has a notable political history, having been a member of the Democratic Party before 2017 and again from 2021 to the present. He also served as a member of the Green Party from 2017 to 2021. This evolution reflects a dynamic engagement with political platforms and ideologies.
Official Role
As the City Controller of Los Angeles, Mejia is responsible for overseeing the city's finances, ensuring accountability, and auditing city departments. His election marked a significant shift, bringing a CPA and a background focused on fiscal transparency to the role.
Early Life and Career
Education and Professional Background
Mejia, who is Filipino American, was born and raised in Los Angeles. He demonstrated academic acceleration by graduating from Woodbury University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in just two and a half years. He obtained his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation around 2013. While his CPA license status was noted as "expired" or "inactive" for a period between November 2018 and January 2022, his professional background includes work at Ernst & Young and a hedge fund before transitioning to public service.
Community Engagement
Beyond his professional and political pursuits, Mejia co-founded "We Can Make a Difference" in 2016. This volunteer organization focused on providing essential resources, such as food and hygiene items, to low-income and homeless individuals in the Los Angeles area. He is also affiliated with the Los Angeles Tenants Union, indicating a commitment to social advocacy.
Early Political Campaigns
Congressional Aspirations
Inspired by Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, Mejia entered politics. He initially ran as a write-in Democratic candidate for California's 34th congressional district in 2016. Disillusioned with the Democratic Party, he subsequently ran as a Green Party candidate for the same district in 2017 and 2018. His 2017 campaign notably relied on small-dollar donations, and his 2018 bid achieved a record vote percentage for a Green candidate against a Democrat in that congressional race.
Campaign Focus
During his campaigns, Mejia consistently highlighted issues of fiscal accountability and resource allocation within Los Angeles. He drew attention to significant salaries for Los Angeles Fire Department employees, the allocation of American Rescue Plan funds, and proposed police budgets, advocating for a more transparent and equitable distribution of city resources.
Los Angeles City Controller
Election Victory
In the 2022 Los Angeles elections, Kenneth Mejia announced his candidacy for the nonpartisan office of City Controller. He secured first place in the primary election with over 230,000 votes (42.75%), advancing to the general election. He won the general election decisively on November 8, 2022, with 62% of the vote, succeeding Ron Galperin.
Key Appointments
Upon taking office, Mejia appointed Rick Cole as his Chief Deputy Controller and Sergio Perez as Chief of Accountability and Oversight. Cole, a former mayor of Pasadena and deputy mayor of Los Angeles, brought extensive public administration experience, while Perez previously served as the Inspector General for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Electoral History
Congressional Elections
Mejia participated in several elections for California's 34th congressional district:
City Controller Election
Mejia's successful bid for Los Angeles City Controller in 2022 involved significant public engagement and a focus on fiscal transparency.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page has been generated by an AI and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and aims to present a comprehensive overview of Kenneth Mejia's career and public service.
This is not political endorsement or advice. The information provided is not a substitute for independent research or professional civic consultation. Always consult official sources and qualified professionals for specific civic or political matters.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.