Incumbent Faces Young Green Party Challenger in LA City Council District 15 Race

The oddly shaped 15th Council District includes the Port of Los Angeles, Wilmington, San Pedro, and Watts.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty city council meeting room, with a solitary podium bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the quiet, behind-the-scenes power dynamics of local politics.The race for Los Angeles City Council District 15 will determine the leadership and direction for a diverse district that includes some of the city's most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods as well as the critical Port of Los Angeles.Los Angeles Today

The incumbent, Tim McOsker, is running for a second term representing Los Angeles City Council District 15, which includes the Port of Los Angeles and surrounding communities. His challenger is 22-year-old Jordan Rivers, a community activist running on the Green Party ticket. The district faces challenges including federal immigration enforcement, homelessness, and city budget shortfalls.

Why it matters

The race for the 15th Council District seat will determine the leadership and policy direction for a diverse district that includes the critical Port of Los Angeles as well as the historically underserved communities of Wilmington, San Pedro, and Watts. The outcome could impact issues like policing, development, and the city's preparations for major upcoming events like the 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympics.

The details

Council members in Los Angeles have three main roles: curating their district, setting citywide policy, and providing oversight of the mayor and city departments. The 15th District is an oddly shaped area dominated by the Port of Los Angeles and consisting of communities that joined the city early in the 20th century. Challenges include federal immigration enforcement, homelessness, and the city's budget shortfalls. Incumbent Tim McOsker is seeking a second term after previously working in city government and as a lobbyist. His challenger, Jordan Rivers, is a 22-year-old community activist running on the Green Party ticket.

  • The June 2 primary will determine if a candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, or if a runoff between the top two vote-getters will be held on November 3.
  • The winner will be sworn into office in December.

The players

Tim McOsker

The incumbent City Council member, a lifelong San Pedro resident who previously worked in the city attorney's office, as a lobbyist, and as CEO of a nonprofit.

Jordan Rivers

A 22-year-old community activist running to represent the Green Party (city offices are nonpartisan).

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There was a time when inside the building there was a cadre of people who understood how things worked. It's important to have people to plan how to approach the next five years. We don't have that constituency for the future or internal organizational control.”

— Tim McOsker, Incumbent City Council Member

What’s next

Voters in Los Angeles City Council District 15 will head to the polls on June 2 for the primary election. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a runoff between the top two vote-getters will be held on November 3.

The takeaway

The race for the 15th Council District seat will be a key battleground, with the incumbent touting his experience and the challenger offering a new, progressive voice. The outcome could have significant implications for the Port of Los Angeles, the surrounding communities, and the city's overall policy direction.