L.A. politics fractures amid dissatisfaction, frayed alliances, generational conflict
Key takeaways
- In 1973, Tom Bradley became L.A.’s. first Black mayor by assembling Black, Jewish, white and Latino liberals into a coalition that ended decades of conservative white rule at City Hall.
- Bradley’s election transformed Los Angeles politics and began what has been, for the most part, a 50-year reign of moderate Democrats.
- Some political experts in L.A. say mainstream Democrats are floundering as they try to patch together their coalitions in an era when poll after poll shows the city’s residents frustrated with the status quo.
Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley at a 1987 news conference during which he asked the public for help in finding a donor liver for an ill infant. (Los Angeles Times) By Jenny Jarvie National Correspondent Follow May 31, 2026 3 AM PT 14 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
In 1973, Tom Bradley became L.A.’s. first Black mayor by assembling Black, Jewish, white and Latino liberals into a coalition that ended decades of conservative white rule at City Hall.
Bradley’s election transformed Los Angeles politics and began what has been, for the most part, a 50-year reign of moderate Democrats. Year after year, the election map has changed, but liberal centrists have usually remained on top.