Estuardo Mazariegos is running against Jose Ugarte (D, Curren Price chief of staff); Chris Martin (D); Elmer Roldan (D); Jorge Nuno (D); others.
Open seat in one of LA's most diverse districts after Curren Price is term-limited out. CD9 stretches from southern Downtown through South Central to Watts, with over 75% Latino residents. The deeply fragmented six-candidate race pits grassroots progressive organizers against establishment-backed candidates. Jose Ugarte leads fundraising with $211K, more than all five opponents combined.
Mazariegos is the DSA-LA endorsed candidate and has endorsements from UTLA and LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia. Chris Martin is the only Black candidate in the race. Jorge Nuno is backed by County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, and Elmer Roldan has Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson's endorsement. If no candidate clears 50%, a November runoff follows.
Key dates to watch: Primary on June 2, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.