Meet Andrew Kim, Candidate For Los Angeles Mayor

LOS ANGELES, CA — Andrew Kim, 66, is competing for the position of mayor in Los Angeles.

In the primary elections on June 2, the current Mayor Karen Bass will face competition from 13 other candidates as she aims for a second term. Among them is Kim.

Discover more about Kim’s vision for Los Angeles:

What is your educational background?

I earned my juris doctor degree from Pepperdine School of Law (1986), and prior to that, I graduated with a B.A. in political science from Claremont McKenna College (1982).

While practicing law, I also attended the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, where I received a master of theology. I am currently a doctoral candidate in the field of religion at Claremont Graduate School.

What is your professional background?

I have been practicing law in Los Angeles since 1990 as a solo practitioner at my own law office, Law Offices of Andrew Kim, for over thirty years.

I also volunteered as a temporary judge in Los Angeles County for several years.

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

I served as a commissioner on the Los Angeles County Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Commission for about ten years and was a founding member of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council.

What are the top three issues facing Los Angeles right now?

First, homelessness is a critical issue in the city. Currently, the “housing first” policy pursued by Mayor Bass has not seen significant success, with an estimated 45,000 homeless individuals in Los Angeles, around 75% of whom have substance abuse problems.

We need to adopt a “recovery first” policy to assist the homeless population in becoming self-sufficient.

Second, public waste and corruption appear to be pervasive in the city government. There is a structural issue within the city budget that the current Mayor has been unable or unwilling to address effectively.

Third, affordability has become a pressing issue for Angelenos. Over the last decade, living costs and business expenses in Los Angeles have risen significantly.

What is one specific policy you would implement in your first 100 days?

I would declare a State of Emergency to tackle homelessness in the city. As mayor, I would enforce anti-loitering and anti-camping laws to ensure that homelessness is addressed through rigorous implementation of recovery first policies for those with substance abuse and mental health issues, along with effective aid programs for the homeless population.

What is your plan to reduce homelessness, and how would you measure success after one year?

With the State of Emergency declaration, I would enforce anti-loitering and anti-camping laws to guide the homeless population towards recovery and financial independence. I would partner with nonprofits such as the Salvation Army and Coalition To End Homelessness in Los Angeles to enhance city programs that provide assistance towards independent living. Success after one year would be measured by the progress made towards self-sufficiency by homeless individuals who are willing to help themselves, alongside their access to stable housing or shelters.

What is one specific change you would make to improve public safety?

The resolution of homelessness will greatly enhance public safety. I have a clear vision and plan to resolve this issue, detailed in this survey.

Additionally, I would increase the LAPD budget to add at least one thousand police officers.

I would foster collaboration between the LAPD and community-based public safety volunteer groups, such as those in Koreatown, where dedicated volunteers can be trained by LAPD to support overall public safety in our city.

How would you improve transparency or accountability at City Hall?

In collaboration with the city controller and civic-minded experts, I would implement a top-down audit of city departments to boost transparency and accountability at City Hall. The recent discovery of a billion-dollar deficit in the city budget—nearly ten percent of the total budget—signals severe financial mismanagement and lack of accountability, particularly with unaccounted homelessness funding.

Furthermore, I would focus on removing the influence of DEI and WOKE cancel culture ideologies from City Hall appointments, promoting individuals based solely on their merit and public service dedication.

Why are you a better choice than your opponents?

I believe I am the stronger candidate for mayor during these challenging times because I have a clear vision and plan to address homelessness in our city. I aim to free Los Angeles from the misguided leftist ideologies of DEI and WOKE cancel culture that have made living here increasingly unaffordable. I’m committed to leading our city with innovative policies that provide genuine support for hard-working Angelenos and to restoring pride and prosperity to Los Angeles, which I term “Project Liberation of Los Angeles 2026.”

First, I plan to bolster our businesses by supporting small and medium enterprises through reduced regulations and taxes while creating economic revitalization zones throughout Los Angeles.

Second, I aim to rejuvenate our neighborhoods which are currently burdened by homelessness, petty crime, unaffordable housing, and significant parking issues. As a resident of Koreatown, I encounter these quality of life challenges daily, and I will prioritize initiatives that enhance the quality of life in our city.

As the next mayor, I will ensure that City Hall operates with the principles of ethical public service, merit-based promotions, and a system of checks and balances for efficient and competent governance. Thank you.