# John McKinney *candidate · Los Angeles City Attorney* — November 3, 2026 General Election (2026-11-03), Los Angeles County, California Research pack generated 2026-10-30T23:52:30+00:00 by ballotscope. Summaries are LLM-generated from the linked originals and may contain errors; check the originals before relying on anything. Sources span 2017-02-18 to 2026-10-28. ## Overview (as of 2026-10-29, from 22 sources) John McKinney, 58, is an L.A. County deputy district attorney who directs the office's specialized prosecutions; he won the 2022 murder conviction of Nipsey Hussle's killer [Jury reaches verdict in killing of hip-hop artist Nipsey Hussle; Nipsey Hussle's killer sentenced; Your guide to the L.A. city attorney's race: McKinney vs. Roy]. He entered the race late, took second in June with 28.6% after the LAPD union and DA Nathan Hochman endorsed him, and was backed by about $3 million to $5 million in independent spending, much of it from an Airbnb PAC [Push to oust L.A. city attorney grows as challenger gains support of D.A., police union; L.A. city attorney becomes first incumbent ousted in primary in nearly 100 years; Who will be Los Angeles' next city attorney?; He didn't think he'd ever be a lawyer. Now, he might be L.A.'s next city attorney]. He runs on public safety and 'compassionate accountability': quality-of-life enforcement, lawful enforcement of 41.18, court-leveraged treatment, and early triage of lawsuits [Your guide to the L.A. city attorney's race: McKinney vs. Roy; LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney; Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters]. His strongest credential is trial work, more than 100 jury trials by his count [Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters]. His main vulnerability, noted by the Times and Knock LA, is that he has no civil litigation experience [Your guide to the L.A. city attorney's race: McKinney vs. Roy; Knock LA progressive voter guide, November 2026 general election]. Late-October polling had him trailing 19% to 36% [Marissa Roy's lead grows over John McKinney in L.A. city attorney race, latest poll shows]. ### Record highlights - Prosecuted Eric Holder Jr. for Nipsey Hussle's killing; first-degree murder conviction in July 2022 and a 60-to-life sentence in February 2023. [Jury reaches verdict in killing of hip-hop artist Nipsey Hussle; Nipsey Hussle's killer sentenced] - Says he has tried more than 100 jury trials with about a 97% conviction rate, including 40 murder convictions (his account). [The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid; Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] - Ran for district attorney in 2024 and lost the primary; then endorsed Hochman and was promoted to oversee specialized prosecutions, about 300 staff in eight divisions. [Push to oust L.A. city attorney grows as challenger gains support of D.A., police union; He didn't think he'd ever be a lawyer. Now, he might be L.A.'s next city attorney; Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] - Active in the failed effort to recall DA George Gascón. [He didn't think he'd ever be a lawyer. Now, he might be L.A.'s next city attorney] - Placed second in the June 2026 primary with 28.6%. [Who will be Los Angeles' next city attorney?] ### Stated positions - Prioritize domestic violence, repeat theft, vandalism, street racing and drug markets, and measure results rather than case counts (October 2026). [LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney] - Restart the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program and specialized domestic-violence prosecution (May and October 2026). [The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid; LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney; Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] - Enforce 41.18 lawfully, with shelter offers; use courts as a 'last resort' to push people into treatment. [Your guide to the L.A. city attorney's race: McKinney vs. Roy; LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney; Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] - Triage lawsuits early, use outside counsel only for a demonstrated need, and attack recurring liability causes. [Push to oust L.A. city attorney grows as challenger gains support of D.A., police union; Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] - Sue the federal government only on a sound claim, not as political messaging. [Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] - Keep the office whole rather than split it. [The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid] ### Where sources disagree - His experience is given as 25 years on his site, 28 years in May, and nearly 30 years in October. [John McKinney for Los Angeles City Attorney (campaign site); The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid; Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] - He says he is a lifelong Democrat who opposes Trump; pro-Roy mail calls him MAGA's candidate, and the Times reports his ties to Gascón-recall Republicans and Trump fundraisers. [LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney; He didn't think he'd ever be a lawyer. Now, he might be L.A.'s next city attorney; Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] ### Gaps - No debate or forum transcript; the LACBA-WLALA townhall and KPCC AirTalk interviews were found only as unreadable media. - LAist's questionnaire answers did not load. - Three of four own-words samples come from one CityWatch contributor. - No trial transcripts or briefs; his trial record comes from news accounts. - The LA Daily News endorsement on his site could not be retrieved. ### Arguments for / praise - The office needs someone with courtroom experience who knows how to win a trial. — *Nathan Hochman* [Push to oust L.A. city attorney grows as challenger gains support of D.A., police union] - He has the experience, stature, reputation and gravitas to do the job. — *Burt Pines* [He didn't think he'd ever be a lawyer. Now, he might be L.A.'s next city attorney] - He is a skilled trial lawyer who can persuade reluctant witnesses. — *Bobby Grace (Los Angeles Times)* [He didn't think he'd ever be a lawyer. Now, he might be L.A.'s next city attorney] - His backers include four former city attorneys, ex-DAs Lacey and Cooley, police unions and business groups. — *John McKinney campaign* [John McKinney endorsements] ### Arguments against / criticism - He has no civil law experience in a largely civil office, and his tough-on-crime focus does not fit a misdemeanor-only office. — *Knock LA* [Knock LA progressive voter guide, November 2026 general election] - He depends on Airbnb money while the city is suing Airbnb, which could compromise him. — *Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles Times reporting* [Leaked files, 'nuclear verdicts,' bruising attacks: Inside the L.A. city attorney race; Your guide to the L.A. city attorney's race: McKinney vs. Roy] - He is 'MAGA's pick for City Attorney'. — *pro-Roy independent-expenditure mail* [LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney] - The police union endorsed 'the most conservative candidate'. — *Marissa Roy* [Push to oust L.A. city attorney grows as challenger gains support of D.A., police union] ## Analysis of their own words (as of 2026-10-29) Coverage: Four samples, May to October 2026: three CityWatch LA written or transcribed Q&As by the same contributor (S3 2026-05-18, S2 2026-10-19, S1 2026-10-26) and the campaign homepage letter (S4; its stored date of 2021 is wrong, so it is treated as undated). All are prepared or edited. Missing: debate or forum transcripts, adversarial interviews, and his trial briefs or arguments (only news accounts of the Nipsey Hussle trial were found, and they are not counted). A self-described law-and-order Democrat (S3, S4): enforcement-first on quality-of-life crime and encampments, with treatment or diversion where it 'can safely address' the behavior (S2). Institutionally cautious: federal suits only on 'a sound legal claim' (S1), case-by-case settlement decisions (S1), and a single elected office kept intact (S3). Articulation: **strong**. His prepared answers are organized and concrete: named priorities, measurable first-year goals, and stated criteria for settling and hiring outside counsel (S1, S2). He concedes limits, for example "I would not pretend that criminal prosecution and municipal civil practice are identical" (S1). Figures carry no sources, and no unscripted sample was available. Consistency: **strong**. The neighborhood prosecutor program, DV specialization, liability reduction and 'compassionate accountability' recur from May to October (S1-S3). His career figures vary slightly: "25 years" (S4), "28 years" (S3), "nearly 30 years" (S1). - Misdemeanor priorities: Focus on domestic violence, repeat theft, vandalism, street racing and drug markets, and track results, not prosecution counts. - "My top priorities will be domestic violence, repeat theft, vandalism, street racing, and criminal activity tied to open-air drug markets" [LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney] (2026-10-19) - "I will measure success by results, not prosecution totals." [LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney] (2026-10-19) - Neighborhood prosecutors and DV unit: Restart the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program and specialized domestic-violence prosecution. - "I would restart the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program" [The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid] (2026-05-18) - "I would restore specialization in domestic violence prosecution." [The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid] (2026-05-18) - Homelessness and 41.18: Enforce the encampment ban lawfully, paired with shelter offers; courts as a last resort. - "I will support consistent, lawful enforcement of 41.18, the city’s encampment ban, paired with outreach and meaningful offers of shelter and services." [LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney] (2026-10-19) - "reserve the court system as a last resort—not the first response to someone in need." [LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney] (2026-10-19) - Liability and outside counsel: Triage cases early on the merits and use outside counsel only for a demonstrated need. - "Neither reflexively fighting every lawsuit nor automatically settling is responsible." [Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] (2026-10-26) - "On the civil side, I’d focus on reducing the city’s liability and upgrade and reform our litigation strategy." [The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid] (2026-05-18) - Federal litigation: Sue the federal government when there is a concrete threat and a sound claim, not for political messaging. - "But the test should be whether we have a sound legal claim and a meaningful remedy—not whether a lawsuit advances a national political message." [Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters] (2026-10-26) - Office structure: Opposes splitting the office. - "The job does not need to be split. It just needs to be held by someone competent." [The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid] (2026-05-18) Limitations: Three of four samples come from one friendly outlet and writer, and none is adversarial or unscripted. His trial work is represented only by news reports, which are not analyzed here. ## Timeline (newest first) - **2026-summer** — Ad tying Roy to Gascón released (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-10-28** — Published: Marissa Roy's lead grows over John McKinney in L.A. city attorney race, latest poll shows (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-10-26** — Published: Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters (CityWatch LA) - **2026-10-23** — Published: He didn't think he'd ever be a lawyer. Now, he might be L.A.'s next city attorney (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-10-22** — Published: A political bogeyman has emerged in L.A.'s election: Ousted D.A. George Gascón (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-10-19** — Published: LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney (CityWatch LA) - **2026-10-11** — Published: Knock LA progressive voter guide, November 2026 general election (Knock LA) - **2026-10-08** — Published: Who will be Los Angeles' next city attorney? (NBC Los Angeles) - **2026-10-01** — Published: Your guide to the L.A. city attorney's race: McKinney vs. Roy (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-10** — Berkeley IGS poll released (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-09-27** — Published: Poll shows Roy holds lead in L.A. city attorney race — but most voters undecided (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-09-27** — Report described 70% of voters as undecided (CityWatch LA) - **2026-09-11** — Published: LAist voter guide: Los Angeles City Attorney (2026 general) (LAist) - **2026-09** — Berkeley IGS poll released (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-08** — McKinney statement on his trial record and Roy's experience (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-07-01** — Walked Skid Row (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-07** — McKinney walked through Skid Row with business leaders (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-06-05** — Published: L.A. city attorney becomes first incumbent ousted in primary in nearly 100 years (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-06-04** — Published: Roy and McKinney overtake incumbent Feldstein Soto in L.A. city attorney polls (Los Angeles Magazine) - **2026-06-04** — Published: Marissa Roy, John McKinney leading race for LA City Attorney (FOX 11 Los Angeles) - **2026-06-04** — Published: LA City Attorney race: Roy, McKinney take top spots while Feldstein Soto remains in third (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2026-06-02** — Primary election (Los Angeles Magazine) - **2026-06-02** — Primary election for L.A. City Attorney (FOX 11 Los Angeles) - **2026-06-02** — Published: Incumbent upended: LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto wiped out in primary (LAist) - **2026-06-02** — Primary election; early results (LAist) - **2026-06-02** — Primary (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-06** — Primary eliminates incumbent Feldstein Soto (LAist) - **2026-06** — Primary: Roy 43.1%, McKinney 28.6% (NBC Los Angeles) - **2026-05-23** — Published: Leaked files, 'nuclear verdicts,' bruising attacks: Inside the L.A. city attorney race (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-05-18** — Published: The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid (CityWatch LA) - **2026-05-05** — McKinney news conference receiving Hochman and LAPPL endorsements (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-05-05** — Published: Push to oust L.A. city attorney grows as challenger gains support of D.A., police union (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-05-05** — Hochman and LAPPL endorse McKinney (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-05** — McKinney interviewed by The Times on public safety and Airbnb (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-04-17** — City attorney's office issued a public report on the data breach (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-01** — Approached about entering the city attorney race (Los Angeles Times) - **2024** — McKinney ran for district attorney and failed to advance from the primary (Los Angeles Times) - **2024** — Ran for district attorney; lost primary (Los Angeles Times) - **2024** — McKinney lost the DA primary and endorsed Hochman (Los Angeles Times) - **2024** — McKinney ran for L.A. County district attorney (LAist) - **2023-02-22** — Published: Nipsey Hussle's killer sentenced (Los Angeles Times) - **2023-02-22** — Holder sentenced (Los Angeles Times) - **2022-07-06** — Published: Jury reaches verdict in killing of hip-hop artist Nipsey Hussle (NBC Los Angeles) - **2022-07-06** — Jury convicted Holder of first-degree murder (NBC Los Angeles) - **2021-05-23** — Published: John McKinney for Los Angeles City Attorney (campaign site) (John McKinney campaign) - **2019-03-31** — Nipsey Hussle killed (Los Angeles Times) - **2017-02-18** — Published: John McKinney endorsements (John McKinney campaign) ## Sources ### Marissa Roy's lead grows over John McKinney in L.A. city attorney race, latest poll shows - Los Angeles Times · news · published 2026-10-28 · stance: neutral - Los Angeles Times report on a late-October Berkeley IGS poll showing Marissa Roy ahead of John McKinney 36% to 19%, with 45% undecided. Voters are split on who would better address street homelessness; Roy leads among renters and progressives, McKinney among Republicans and MAGA-identified voters. - Roy's lead grew to 17 points. - Undecideds fell from 70% to 45%. - Roy would address homelessness by keeping people housed; McKinney by inducing treatment through prosecutions. - Independent expenditure messaging links McKinney to Trump and Roy to Gascón. ### Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters - CityWatch LA · interview · published 2026-10-26 · stance: neutral - Long CityWatch Q&A in the runoff's final week: McKinney rebuts 'MAGA' attacks as lies, says he would sue the Trump administration when there is 'a sound legal claim,' and details how he would triage lawsuits, use outside counsel and manage the office. - Claims 100+ jury trials at ~97% conviction rate, including murder trials all ending in conviction. - Says Roy 'has never tried a case before a jury' and opposes enforcing 41.18; likens her policies to Gascón's. - Supports 41.18 enforcement and court-ordered treatment; proposes an animal-cruelty task force. - Pledges documented legal analysis and outside counsel for conflicts so politics never decide cases. - Says he oversees 300+ staff 'through a management structure' and declines to overstate his hiring or budget authority. ### He didn't think he'd ever be a lawyer. Now, he might be L.A.'s next city attorney - Los Angeles Times · news · published 2026-10-23 · stance: neutral - LA Times profile of McKinney: an orphan from Passaic, N.J., who became head of special prosecutions, running on public safety and 'compassionate accountability' for homelessness, aided by nearly $5 million in outside spending, over half from a venture capitalist and an Airbnb PAC. - Claims an undefeated record in homicide trials. - Says Roy's Trump focus misreads the job, since state AGs lead federal litigation. - Became politically active opposing Gascón, including the failed recall; says he 'despises' Trump. - Vows to sue Airbnb over price gouging; argues police will heed his criticism more than Roy's. - Wants audits of homelessness contractors and prosecution to push addicted or mentally ill defendants into treatment. ### A political bogeyman has emerged in L.A.'s election: Ousted D.A. George Gascón - Los Angeles Times · news · published 2026-10-22 · stance: neutral - Los Angeles Times article on opponents of progressive candidates invoking former DA George Gascón. In the city attorney race, it reports that John McKinney has repeatedly invoked Gascón to cast Marissa Roy as soft on crime, including a summer ad saying Roy would 'do the same' as Gascón. - McKinney's side ties Roy to Gascón. - Most of the article concerns the mayor's race and a rumor about Gascón as police chief. - A consultant calls the tactic a sign of desperation. ### LA's Undecided Voters Loom Large in race for City Attorney between Marissa Roy & John McKinney - CityWatch LA · interview · published 2026-10-19 · stance: neutral - CityWatch LA piece by contributor Nick Antonicello on the runoff, with John McKinney's written answers on crime priorities, homelessness, 'law and order', and first-year goals. Roy was sent the same questions and did not respond. - McKinney would restore specialized domestic violence prosecution and the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program. - He would publish baselines and track repeat offending rather than prosecution totals. - He supports lawful enforcement of L.A. Municipal Code 41.18 with outreach and shelter offers. - He describes his upbringing in Passaic, N.J., and calls his approach 'compassionate accountability.' ### Knock LA progressive voter guide, November 2026 general election - Knock LA · voter guide · published 2026-10-11 · stance: oppose - Knock LA's progressive voter guide endorses Marissa Roy and argues against John McKinney, calling his 'tough-on-crime posturing' unsuited to an office that prosecutes only misdemeanors and saying he lacks civil law experience. - Opposes McKinney and endorses Roy. - Criticizes his reliance on police union money after the data breach. - Quotes the Times' paraphrase of his gun-crime and homelessness positions as an 'inanity.' ### Who will be Los Angeles' next city attorney? - NBC Los Angeles · news · published 2026-10-08 · stance: neutral - Brief explainer: two Democrats, Roy (43.1% in the primary) stressing tenant, worker and consumer protection, McKinney (28.6%) stressing crime reduction. - Final primary shares: Roy 43.1%, McKinney 28.6%. - Roy previously handled workers' rights and wage theft cases in the City Attorney's Office. - McKinney prosecuted the Nipsey Hussle murder. - Roy backed by Planned Parenthood, the county Democratic Party and DSA-LA; McKinney by Hochman, Jackie Lacey and Councilmembers Park, Lee, McOsker and Rodriguez. ### Your guide to the L.A. city attorney's race: McKinney vs. Roy - Los Angeles Times · voter guide · published 2026-10-01 · stance: neutral - Side-by-side guide: McKinney, 58, a veteran prosecutor who won the Nipsey Hussle murder conviction, centers quality-of-life enforcement, trial judgment on lawsuits, and court-leveraged treatment for homelessness; he has no civil litigation experience. - McKinney's top issue is 'public safety and neighborhood protection' with a focus on quality-of-life crimes. - McKinney would not prosecute protesters for 'technical violations' but would pursue freeway blockers. - McKinney says trial experience will help him decide which suits to settle; the Times notes he has no civil litigation experience. - On homelessness he calls the crisis 'solvable' and wants the courts only as a 'last resort', plus a mass triage shelter. - Independent expenditures above $3 million support him, more than $2 million from an Airbnb PAC; he dismisses the criticism. - Endorsed by DA Nathan Hochman, the LAPD union and four councilmembers. - Reference: LA Times coverage of the Nipsey Hussle murder sentencing - Reference: Leaked files, 'nuclear verdicts,' bruising attacks: Inside the L.A. city attorney race - Reference: As L.A. faces budget crisis, legal payouts skyrocket ### Poll shows Roy holds lead in L.A. city attorney race — but most voters undecided - Los Angeles Times · news · published 2026-09-27 · stance: neutral - Los Angeles Times report on a Berkeley IGS poll showing Marissa Roy 10 points ahead of John McKinney with about 70% of likely voters undecided. It summarizes each candidate's pitch: McKinney on reducing disorder and moving unhoused people off the streets; Roy on curbing liability partly via infrastructure fixes and public-interest litigation like the Meta case. - Roy leads by 10 points; about 70% undecided. - McKinney's support is strongest among Republicans and MAGA-identified voters; Roy's among Democrats and progressives. - Voters rank homelessness and public safety as top priorities. ### LAist voter guide: Los Angeles City Attorney (2026 general) - LAist · voter guide · published 2026-09-11 · stance: neutral - Explains the office and profiles both candidates; McKinney is a career deputy DA, backed by prosecutors and police, prioritizing public safety and neighborhood protection. - Explains the office's civil, advisory and misdemeanor-prosecution roles. - McKinney worked in the Victim Impact Program, juvenile court, the Hardcore Gang Unit and the Major Crimes Division. - He prosecuted the 2019 shooting of rapper Nipsey Hussle. - He ran for L.A. County district attorney in 2024. - Roy is presented as focusing on workers, renters and litigation against the Trump administration. - Reference: McKinney endorsements - Reference: CityWatch interview with John McKinney - Reference: Los Angeles Sentinel profile of McKinney - Reference: L.A. Ethics Commission campaign finance portal ### L.A. city attorney becomes first incumbent ousted in primary in nearly 100 years - Los Angeles Times · news · published 2026-06-05 · stance: neutral - Los Angeles Times analysis of the incumbent's primary loss. It says John McKinney tapped frustration over encampments and downtown blight to take the second runoff spot with a late, tough-on-crime campaign backed by $3 million in independent spending, including texts painting rivals as 'George Gascón'-style Democrats. - McKinney campaigned in earnest about five weeks before the primary. - He took law enforcement support from the incumbent. - His ads used AI-generated dystopian imagery and his hard-luck upbringing. - He had 23 campaign communications plus 19 from independent groups. ### Roy and McKinney overtake incumbent Feldstein Soto in L.A. city attorney polls - Los Angeles Magazine · news · published 2026-06-04 · stance: neutral - Los Angeles Magazine report on early primary returns showing John McKinney second in the city attorney race with 32.46%. It explains that the LAPD officers' union switched its endorsement from the incumbent to McKinney after a data breach, and that his campaign centers on public safety. - McKinney had 149,123 votes (32.46%). - The LAPPL rescinded its Feldstein Soto endorsement after a data breach and backed McKinney. - His campaign centers on public safety and protecting neighborhoods. ### Marissa Roy, John McKinney leading race for LA City Attorney - FOX 11 Los Angeles · news · published 2026-06-04 · stance: neutral - Wire report on the early primary count: McKinney, described as police union-backed, held second with 32.10%; the incumbent ran third amid criticism over liability payouts and a police-file leak. - Early returns: Roy 37.79%, McKinney 32.10%, Feldstein Soto 20.54%, Ashouri 9.57%. - The LAPD officers' union rescinded its endorsement of Feldstein Soto after a data breach and endorsed McKinney. - McKinney's stated focus: repeat offenders, retail theft, street racing, narcotics, misdemeanor gun crimes. - Roy's stated focus: fighting the federal immigration crackdown, workers' rights and renters. - City liability payouts were $294 million last fiscal year. ### LA City Attorney race: Roy, McKinney take top spots while Feldstein Soto remains in third - ABC7 Los Angeles · news · published 2026-06-04 · stance: neutral - Wire report on the early primary count: McKinney, described as police union-backed, held second with 32.10%; the incumbent ran third amid criticism over liability payouts and a police-file leak. - Early returns: Roy 37.79%, McKinney 32.10%, Feldstein Soto 20.54%, Ashouri 9.57%. - The LAPD officers' union rescinded its endorsement of Feldstein Soto after a data breach and endorsed McKinney. - McKinney's stated focus: repeat offenders, retail theft, street racing, narcotics, misdemeanor gun crimes. - Roy's stated focus: fighting the federal immigration crackdown, workers' rights and renters. - City liability payouts were $294 million last fiscal year. ### Incumbent upended: LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto wiped out in primary - LAist · news · published 2026-06-02 · stance: neutral - LAist primary-night coverage reporting incumbent Hydee Feldstein Soto in third, with John McKinney at about 33%. McKinney told KPCC's Larry Mantle voters are holding the incumbent accountable on homelessness and liability lawsuits and want 'more decisive leadership.' - McKinney had about 33% in early results after entering the race about 15 weeks earlier. - He said voters want 'political courage in dealing with homelessness.' - He is described as a 'tough-on-crime prosecutor' backed by Hochman, law enforcement and business groups. ### Leaked files, 'nuclear verdicts,' bruising attacks: Inside the L.A. city attorney race - Los Angeles Times · news · published 2026-05-23 · stance: neutral - Los Angeles Times pre-primary feature on the three-way race. It describes John McKinney as a county prosecutor with key law enforcement endorsements and a late surge of independent spending, mostly from an Airbnb-backed PAC, and reports his public-safety and homelessness positions. - McKinney wants tougher prosecution of misdemeanor gun crimes and to 'leverage' homeless arrestees into treatment. - He has no civil litigation experience but says he can lower lawsuit costs. - He received $72,000 directly but $1.7 million in independent expenditures in two weeks. - Feldstein Soto cited his Airbnb support as evidence he is beholden to special interests; McKinney said Airbnb believes in his campaign. ### The John McKinney Interview Emphasizes Law & Order in City Attorney Bid - CityWatch LA · interview · published 2026-05-18 · stance: neutral - CityWatch Q&A (pre-primary): McKinney embraces the 'law & order' label, would restart the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program and specialized domestic-violence prosecution, cut outside counsel, and opposes splitting the office. - Says public safety is 'the government's most basic responsibility.' - Wants to reduce payouts, citing $286 million in 2024-25. - Says he would side with 'what the law demands' over the mayor or council. - Declined to state a mayoral preference. ### Push to oust L.A. city attorney grows as challenger gains support of D.A., police union - Los Angeles Times · news · published 2026-05-05 · stance: neutral - Los Angeles Times report on DA Nathan Hochman and the LAPD officers' union endorsing John McKinney after the union withdrew support from the incumbent over a leak of police files. It reports McKinney's pledges on lawsuit costs, 'Broken Windows' enforcement and homelessness, and his ties to Hochman's campaign team. - Hochman and the LAPPL endorsed McKinney on May 5, 2026. - McKinney pledged frugality with city money and fast triage of lawsuits. - He said he supports 'Broken Windows' policing. - He endorsed Hochman after losing the 2024 DA primary and was promoted to oversee special prosecutions. - His campaign hired Hochman's former campaign manager and fundraiser Trey Kozacik. ### Nipsey Hussle's killer sentenced - Los Angeles Times · news · published 2023-02-22 · stance: neutral - LA Times report on the Nipsey Hussle murder sentencing: Eric Holder Jr. got 60 years to life in a case McKinney prosecuted, arguing jealousy rather than a 'snitch' provocation drove the killing. - Judge H. Clay Jacke sentenced Holder to 25-to-life plus 25-to-life for the gun enhancement, plus 10 years for assaults. - McKinney successfully objected to a defense psychologist's testimony at sentencing. ### Jury reaches verdict in killing of hip-hop artist Nipsey Hussle - NBC Los Angeles · news · published 2022-07-06 · stance: neutral - NBC LA report on the Nipsey Hussle verdict: the jury convicted Eric Holder Jr. of first-degree murder, rejecting the heat-of-passion defense McKinney contested, though it chose lesser attempted-manslaughter counts over attempted murder. - McKinney told jurors the motive was 'preexisting jealousy or envy.' - He argued ten minutes away was enough for premeditation. ### John McKinney for Los Angeles City Attorney (campaign site) - John McKinney campaign · position statement · published 2021-05-23 · stance: support - McKinney's campaign homepage: a letter stressing his working-class roots, nearly three decades as a prosecutor 'For the People', and pledges to enforce the law 'fairly and consistently' and hold departments to high standards; lists law-enforcement and council endorsements. - Calls himself 'a lifelong Democrat.' - Claims endorsements from the LA Daily News, DA Hochman, the LAPPL and four councilmembers. - Cites 'a surge in crime, homelessness, and despair' in L.A. ### John McKinney endorsements - John McKinney campaign · endorsement · published 2017-02-18 · stance: support - McKinney's endorsement list: DA Hochman, ex-DAs Lacey and Cooley, four former city attorneys, ex-Mayor Villaraigosa, four councilmembers, police unions and business groups such as the Chamber of Commerce Jobs PAC and Central City Association. - Former city attorneys Delgadillo, Trutanich, Pines and Reiner back him. - Police: LAPPL, PORAC, L.A. Airport Police Officers Association. - Business: Latin Business Association, County Business Federation, VICA PAC, Taxpayers Association. ### City elections in Los Angeles, California (2026) - Ballotpedia · other · published undated · stance: neutral - ### John McKinney Could Become Los Angeles' First Black City Attorney - Los Angeles Sentinel · news · published undated · stance: neutral - ### 2026 Los Angeles City Attorney election - Wikipedia · other · published undated · stance: neutral - ## Suggested use Ask me neutral questions about this subject using the material above. Distinguish what the sources say from your own background knowledge, cite the source titles you rely on, and say when information may be out of date given the dates shown.