Asian American community organizer running for L.A. mayor

As if the Los Angeles mayor's race wasn't crowded enough, a new player has stepped into the ring, and she's not pulling any punches against the "establishment" – that would include Democratic Mayor Karen Bass and the current city hall crowd.

Community organizer and deputy director of the non-profit Housing Now California Rae Huang hopes to ride the recent wave of Democratic Socialists victories, exemplified by Zohran Mamdani's victory for New York mayor which pitted the Indian American against the traditional political "establishment" of both Republicans and Democrats.

If Huang can pull off a victory, she would become the city's first Asian American ayor. She is running for Los Angeles mayor because, in her view, the city is prioritizing the wealthy while the working people struggle. She's critical of Bass's performance, pointing to the ongoing high cost of living, homelessness issues, and even the response to the January 2025 Palisades Fire.

“I am running because I can do the job and because Los Angeles has been ready for real leadership for a long time,” she told supporters as she launched her campaign last Sunday.

“This fight is not my own, but built on years of dedication and commitment of leaders before me who have fought to make LA more affordable, healthier, sustainable and safer for all,” Huang wrote in announcing her candidacy on Instagram. “My platform will be focused on housing for all, building an economy for the people - not billionaires, fast and free metro (mass transit), climate resiliency, and REAL safety through care first models - so that we focus on fighting poverty, not the poor.” 

Although considered a long-shot, Huang is running as a community organizer and an ordained Presbyterian minister, making her a potentially influential, albeit less known, figure in the race who could push the conversation to the left and potentially force the election into a runoff if no candidate achieves a majority vote in the June primary.

Like Mamdani, Huang is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and is running on a truly progressive platform, vowing not to take corporate donations. To traditionalist, some of her platform might appear radical to some, but as Mamdani proved in NYC and Seattle's mayor-elect Katie Wilson, shooting for the moon appeals to voters, especially young voters, tired of the same old thing. Here's a quick rundown of her key issues:

Universal housing: A long-time tenant rights advocate, she argues for "housing for all" and promises real, permanent solutions to the homelessness crisis, not just "band-aid" programs.

Free public transit: To tackle the second-highest expense for families (transportation), she wants to make public transit free, safe, and fast, complete with dedicated bus lanes and improved rail/bus/bike connections.

"Economy for the people": Her campaign is all about economic change that benefits everyone, not just billionaires.

"Real safety": She's pushing for a public safety model focused on prevention and care, fighting poverty at its roots rather than over-policing poor communities.
Huang's entry into the race is a definite challenge to Mayor Bass from the left.

 Political analysts are saying her run could be a game-changer, potentially forcing the June 2, 2026, primary into a costly November runoff if no candidate secures that magic 50% number.

Besides Huang and Bass, the declared and potential candidates for the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election are:

• Austin Beutner: A businessman and former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District who has officially announced his campaign.

• Asaad Alnajjar: A Porter Ranch neighborhood councilor and civil engineer who has declared his candidacy.

• Vincent Wali: A musician who has also declared his intention to run.

• Rick Caruso (Potential): The real estate developer and 2022 opponent of Mayor Bass is reportedly considering another run for mayor or potentially for governor..

Huang is running as a long-shot candidate but could draw enough progressive votes to potentially force the current mayor into a runoff election if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the June 2, 2026, primary. If elected, she would be Los Angeles' first Asian-American mayor.

At least two other Asian Americans have run for Mayor of Los Angeles, albeit unsuccessfully: Michael Woo, who ran in 1993 and Andrew Kim in 2022.

As of 2024 population estimates, Asian residents make up approximately  12.0% of the population in the city of Los Angeles but Los Angeles County, which includes the San Gabriel Valley, has the largest Asian population of any county in the United States.

Huang doesn't have the name recognition of Bass so the key for Huang's race will be creating an organization to back her beyond the AAPI voters. But with seven months to go until the June primary, she will have plenty of time to promote herself.

Looks like things are heating up in L.A .politics. Stay tuned!

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