Following her public endorsement of Nithya Raman in this year’s LA City Council election, LA County CEO candidate and LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath has announced her bid for the newly created, directly elected Chief Executive Officer position in 2028.
The announcement came just four days after Raman’s election victory, fueling speculation that Horvath’s notable endorsement was a calculated political move with an eye on the upcoming race.
Horvath Announces Historic Bid for Elected CEO
On November 9, Supervisor Horvath officially declared her candidacy for the historic first-ever direct election for LA County CEO. She criticized the county government for being sluggish to change, stating that chronic bureaucracy has hindered local progress. Horvath promised to build an efficient administration fully accountable to residents and focused on delivering tangible results.
Earlier, on October 20, Horvath made headlines by throwing her support behind Raman. While the remaining four members of the five-person Board of Supervisors backed current Mayor Karen Bass, Horvath stood alone in endorsing Raman, providing a crucial boost to a candidate with a thin base of major elected supporters.
Political Dynamics and Measure G Impact
Political analysts attribute Horvath’s move to ongoing friction between her and Mayor Bass, especially regarding disagreements over handling the Palisades wildfire and homelessness support policies. With Raman’s victory, Horvath secures a powerful ally in city hall, though it remains to be seen how their political alliance will unfold.
The LA County CEO holds immense administrative authority, overseeing a massive budget and personnel. Following the passage of Measure G in 2024, the traditionally appointed CEO role will transition to a directly elected position starting in 2028, while the Board of Supervisors will expand from five to nine members.
Scope of Authority and Internal Criticism
The newly elected CEO will manage an annual budget of $54 billion and a workforce of over 110,000 employees across a county of 10 million residents, with a salary reaching up to $558,000 and no term limits.
As a key architect behind Measure G, Horvath has also faced sharp criticism. Supervisor Kathryn Barger argued that an elected official pushing for a new powerful post only to run for it creates a serious conflict of interest. Barger also noted that legal questions regarding whether the elected CEO’s powers comply with the California Constitution remain unresolved, calling the announcement premature. Other supervisors, including Hilda Solis and Holly Mitchell, have stated they will not run for the seat.
