LOS ANGELES, CA — Tish Hyman, 43, is vying to be elected as the Los Angeles mayor.
In the June 2 primary, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass will face a challenge from 13 other candidates as she seeks a second term. Among them is Hyman.
Learn more about Hyman's goals for Los Angeles:
What is your educational background?
I built my education through real-world experience running businesses, navigating the financial sector, and working over a decade in the music industry at a high level. I’ve managed teams, negotiated multimillion dollar deals, and created opportunities from the ground up. That hands-on experience, combined with constant self-education, has prepared me to lead with both strategy and execution.
What is your professional background?
I’m a business owner and Grammy-nominated songwriter with over a decade in the music industry. I was published with Universal Music Publishing Group for 12 years, working with major artists across genres. I’ve also run multiple businesses, including a 30 unit short-term rentals and a studio. My background is in building, managing, negotiating, and creating real economic opportunity.
Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?
No. I have not held public office. I’m running as an outsider with real-world experience in business, leadership, and problem-solving — focused on results, accountability, and bringing a fresh approach to how the city is run.
What are the top three issues facing Los Angeles right now?
1. Homelessness and mental health — Too many people are living on the streets without real pathways to stability. The system is fragmented and lacks accountability. We need coordinated outreach, treatment, and housing that actually transitions people off the streets.
2. Public safety and quality of life — Crime, theft, and unsafe public spaces are impacting residents and businesses. People need to feel safe walking, working, and living in every neighborhood.
3. Housing affordability and cost of living — Rent is too high and ownership is out of reach. Overregulation and market concentration limit supply and drive prices up. We need to increase access, stabilize costs, and make Los Angeles livable again.
What is one specific policy you would implement in your first 100 days?
In my first 100 days, I would launch a citywide Homeless Accountability and Transition Program. Every unhoused individual would be documented, assessed, and assigned a case plan within 30 days — covering mental health, addiction, employment, and housing needs.
We would deploy large, coordinated outreach teams daily, not sporadically, with clear tracking of outcomes. Temporary housing would be paired with mandatory services for those who need support, while those refusing help but committing crimes would face enforcement.
At the same time, I would audit every dollar currently being spent on homelessness to eliminate waste and redirect funds into programs that show measurable results. The goal is simple: fewer people on the streets, faster transitions into stability, and full accountability for how the city operates.
What is your plan to reduce homelessness, and how would you measure success after one year?
My plan is to treat homelessness as a coordinated system failure and fix it with structure, speed, and accountability.
First, I would launch a citywide outreach operation to identify every unhoused individual and assign a case plan mental health care, addiction treatment, job support, and housing. Services would not be optional when someone is in crisis. Temporary housing would be paired with required support to stabilize people quickly.
Second, I would restructure spending. Billions are already allocated, but results are inconsistent. I would audit all homelessness funds, eliminate waste, and redirect money into programs that move people off the street permanently not just into temporary beds.
Third, I would enforce public safety standards. Sidewalks and public spaces must remain usable. Those refusing services and engaging in criminal activity would face consequences, while still being offered help.
After one year, success would be measured by clear metrics: a significant reduction in unsheltered homelessness, fewer encampments, increased placement into permanent housing, reduced emergency room and jail cycling, and transparent public reporting so residents can see real progress.
What is one specific change you would make to improve public safety?
I would implement a Neighborhood Safety Deployment Plan that restores consistent, visible presence where it matters most. This means daily foot and bike patrols in high-traffic corridors, parks, and business districts paired with real-time data to deploy officers where crime is actually happening, not just where it’s been historically assigned.
At the same time, I would expand a co-response model: trained mental health professionals responding alongside officers for non-violent crisis calls. That frees up police to focus on serious crime while ensuring people in crisis get the right care.
This isn’t just about more enforcement it’s about smarter deployment, faster response times, and restoring trust. People should see safety in their neighborhoods every day, not just hear about it in reports.
How would you improve transparency or accountability at City Hall?
I would implement a public-facing accountability system that lets residents track exactly what City Hall is doing in real time.
First, I would launch a live dashboard showing where taxpayer dollars are going, which programs are funded, and what results they are producing especially on homelessness, public safety, and infrastructure. If a program isn’t delivering measurable results, it gets restructured or defunded.
Second, every department head would operate on clear performance benchmarks tied to outcomes, not activity. Those metrics would be public, updated monthly, and tied to job retention.
Third, I would enforce strict reporting timelines and open data policies so residents aren’t waiting months to understand what’s happening in their city.
Accountability means visibility and consequences. If something isn’t working, the public should see it and leadership should fix it immediately.
Why are you a better choice than your opponents?
I’m a better choice because I’m not tied to the system that created these problems. Many of my opponents have spent years in government, yet homelessness has grown, public safety has declined, and the cost of living has continued to rise.
I come from a background of building businesses, teams, and opportunities from the ground up. I understand how to manage money, negotiate, and execute plans that produce real results. I’ve worked across industries and with diverse communities, which gives me a practical, solutions-focused approach.
I’m also accountable. I’m not here for a political career I’m here to fix what’s broken. That means making decisions based on results, not optics, and being transparent with the public every step of the way.
Los Angeles doesn’t need more promises or politics. It needs leadership that acts, adjusts, and delivers.
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