A Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate is holding a substantial early advantage in the race to lead Los Angeles’ nearly $200 million city attorney’s office, according to a new poll that could raise concerns among her opponents.
Marissa Roy, a deputy California attorney general endorsed by the DSA, leads veteran prosecutor John McKinney by 20% to 10% in the contest, according to a survey from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.
The race remains wide open, however, with 70% of likely voters saying they have not yet chosen a candidate. The findings were published Sunday by the Los Angeles Times.
McKinney told The California Post that he believes the race will shift as voters learn more about his record and views on homelessness and public safety. With most voters still undecided, he said, his campaign is confident it can prevail in November.
McKinney also attacked Roy over her reported opposition to enforcing the city’s homeless encampment ban and what he characterized as crime policies similar to those associated with former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. He argued that voters would ultimately view her as too extreme and disconnected from the city’s concerns.
The Berkeley survey included 2,150 likely voters questioned between Sept. 15 and 20. Roy and McKinney are competing to succeed City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, who failed to advance from the June primary.
Los Angeles’ city attorney oversees misdemeanor prosecutions. The office reviews roughly 120,000 potential violations each year and determines which cases should move forward.
Its responsibilities also include defending City Hall in lawsuits and helping draft the municipal laws that govern daily life for Los Angeles residents.
Roy, 34, serves in the California Department of Justice’s consumer protection division. She is also a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which has endorsed her campaign.
The DSA’s Los Angeles platform calls for reducing the city’s reliance on armed police. It supports fewer sworn officers and advocates assigning unarmed personnel to duties such as traffic enforcement and responding to mental health emergencies.
Roy’s most contentious connection to the city attorney’s office emerged during the 2022 election, when she participated in conversations about a proposed 100-day pause on filing new misdemeanor cases.
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Documents obtained exclusively by The California Post indicated that the proposed pause could have applied to offenses such as trespassing, loitering, public intoxication and possession of small amounts of drugs.
Roy told The Post that she did not personally endorse a blanket moratorium. Her campaign website says many misdemeanor cases are linked to poverty, mental illness or substance addiction.
Rather than sending people accused of low-level offenses directly into the court system, Roy supports expanding access to treatment, housing and diversion programs.
McKinney has presented a sharply different approach to the city attorney’s role.
The 58-year-old prosecutor has spent more than 27 years with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. His career includes prosecuting the case involving the killing of rapper Nipsey Hussle.
McKinney is campaigning on a pledge to use the city attorney’s prosecutorial authority to address street disorder and clear homeless encampments from sidewalks.
His campaign has received support from Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing LAPD officers.
Roy’s lead comes as another DSA-endorsed candidate gains ground in a high-profile Los Angeles contest.
Earlier in the week, the same Berkeley poll showed City Councilwoman Nithya Raman leading Mayor Karen Bass in a hypothetical mayoral matchup, 39% to 28%, while 33% of voters remained undecided.
Bass campaign spokesperson Alex Stack dismissed that result as an “outlier poll” and predicted a close race.
Voters decide Nov. 3.