Veteran Politician Isadore Hall Challenges Incumbent Kenneth Mejia for LA City Controller

Los Angeles, CA – Veteran Los Angeles County politician Isadore Hall has officially launched a campaign to challenge incumbent City Controller Kenneth Mejia in the upcoming 2026 election. The announcement, initially reported by Julia Wick, sets the stage for a significant political contest pitting a long-standing political figure against a progressive newcomer who disrupted the city's political landscape in 2022. Hall, a former state legislator and Compton City Council member, declared his candidacy on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Hall's campaign centers on a critique of Mejia's current tenure, arguing that the incumbent has focused excessively on "social media theatrics" rather than robust fiscal oversight. He emphasized his own extensive track record in elected office, including master's degrees in management and public administration, as qualifications to bring "common sense leadership and accountability" to the controller's office. Hall stated his intention to "root out waste, fraud and abuse, fight corruption, be a relentless taxpayer watchdog, and make government work better for the people."

In response, Controller Kenneth Mejia, who announced his re-election bid earlier this month, issued a statement asserting his effectiveness. "We are humbled that the political establishment has recruited one of their friends to run against us because it means that we are effective at doing our job as City Controller," Mejia said. He highlighted his credentials as a certified public accountant and reiterated his commitment to serving the people of Los Angeles and fixing a "broken City Hall."

The race is shaping up as a clash between the Democratic Party's establishment and its ascendant left wing. Hall has garnered support from prominent figures, including L.A. County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger, California Treasurer Fiona Ma, and several state legislators. Mejia, a political outsider, made history in 2022 as the first Asian American elected to citywide office in Los Angeles, leveraging social media and a focus on financial transparency to galvanize young voters.

Hall, 52, has spent approximately 15 years in elected office, building his career through traditional political channels. His campaign will likely face scrutiny over past campaign finance controversies, including accusations of misusing funds during his 2014 state Senate and 2016 congressional campaigns, which he attributed to an accountant's error. Mejia, 34, gained prominence through unconventional tactics, including TikTok videos and billboards scrutinizing city spending.

Mejia's office has conducted audits on various city departments, including the Los Angeles Police Department's helicopter use and homeless shelter data, aiming to demystify the city's complex budget. The upcoming election is expected to be a high-profile contest, testing whether the political pendulum in Los Angeles has shifted back towards more traditional leadership or if the progressive momentum will continue to define city politics.