Los Angeles County’s Governance Shake-Up: A New Era of Political Power

Los Angeles County’s Governance Shake-Up: A New Era of Political Power

In a major shift that could redefine political leadership at the county level in California, Los Angeles County voters have approved a landmark reform—Measure G—that restructures how the county is governed. With over 10 million residents and an annual budget approaching $50 billion, LA County is the most populous county in the United States. Yet until now, its executive leadership was not elected by the public. That changes with the implementation of Measure G.

A New Elected County Executive

Passed in November 2024, Measure G transforms the current county structure by creating a directly elected county executive. This new position will replace the appointed Chief Executive Officer and serve as the central figure responsible for managing the county's massive bureaucracy. The elected executive will oversee budget proposals, lead emergency responses, and appoint or remove department heads, though some powers will still require Board oversight.

What makes this role unprecedented is the scope of authority it could carry—more akin to that of a state governor or major city mayor. Analysts predict it will become one of the most powerful political offices in California.

Expansion of the Board of Supervisors

Alongside the creation of the executive role, Measure G also expands the Board of Supervisors from five to nine members. This change aims to increase representation and reduce the concentration of power currently held by the five-member board, which has been long criticized for operating without sufficient checks and balances.

Accountability and Oversight

To balance this new distribution of power, the measure also includes the formation of an independent ethics commission and the appointment of a nonpartisan legislative analyst. These entities will be tasked with ensuring transparency, curbing political overreach, and providing data-driven assessments of county operations.

Additionally, a 13-member Governance Reform Task Force is working to refine the scope and structure of the county executive’s powers. Their deliberations include discussions on veto authority, term limits, departmental autonomy, and fiscal control.

Implementation Timeline

• 2028: First election for the new county executive

• 2032: First election for the expanded Board of Supervisors

This gradual rollout gives officials time to design effective systems and legal frameworks while educating the public on the implications of these changes.

What It Means for California Politics

Los Angeles County’s move may set a precedent for other large counties in the U.S. seeking to modernize their governance structures. As the nation watches how LA navigates this transition, questions remain: Will this lead to more accountability and efficiency? Or could the centralization of executive power create new risks?

Either way, California’s political landscape just got more interesting—and Los Angeles County will be a case study to watch.

Read more about the origins and debates around Measure G at Santa Monica Daily Press.