You see the Mayor of Los Angeles on the news all the time. Karen Bass is out there at the podium, talking about homelessness or the latest wildfire recovery in the Palisades. But here’s the thing: the Mayor can’t be in ten places at once. That is exactly why the Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles exists.
Honestly, most people think a Deputy Mayor is just a fancy title for an assistant. That’s wrong. These people are basically the "mini-mayors" of their specific worlds. One handles the cops and fire departments. Another deals with the endless red tape of housing. Another is essentially the city's CEO for business.
Right now, as we head into 2026, these roles are more stressed than ever. With a critical budget deficit and a mayoral election on the horizon, the people behind these titles are the ones actually keeping the gears from grinding to a halt.
Who are the current Deputy Mayors in 2026?
The roster at City Hall isn't a static list. It shifts as people burn out or move to the private sector. As of January 2026, Mayor Bass has leaned on a specific circle of heavy hitters.
Rachel Freeman is the Deputy Mayor for Business and Economic Development. If you're a tech founder in Silicon Valley North or a small business owner in Boyle Heights, she’s the one deciding if the city is actually "open for business." She also keeps an eye on the Port of LA and the airport (LAWA), which are the city's massive economic engines.
Then you have the communications side. Amanda Crumley recently stepped in as the Deputy Mayor of Communications. She’s a veteran strategist who has worked on four presidential campaigns. When the Mayor needs to deliver a tough message—like the proposed layoffs in the 2025-2026 budget—Crumley is the one architecting that narrative.
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Here is a quick look at who is steering the ship right now:
- Public Safety: Brian K. Williams. He’s the guy overseeing the LAPD, LAFD, and emergency management.
- Housing: Jenna Hornstock. Her job is basically one giant headache: trying to speed up affordable housing permits.
- City Services: Rachel Brashier (recently moved to Deputy Chief of Staff for City Services). She focuses on the "basics" like trash, potholes, and making sure the city actually functions.
- Community Empowerment: Karren Lane. She’s the bridge between City Hall and the actual neighborhoods.
The "Invisible" Power of the Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles
If you want to get something done in LA, you don't call the Mayor. You call the Deputy Mayor.
They don't have the power to sign laws or pass budgets—that’s for the City Council. But they have "the ear." When a developer wants to build a massive complex and is stuck in permit hell, the Deputy Mayor of Housing can sometimes (if they choose) pick up the phone and ask the Planning Department why things are stalled.
It's a weird, high-pressure middle ground. They represent the Mayor at community meetings where people are, frankly, usually yelling. They have to know the 1,500-page city budget better than their own bank statements.
Why the 2026 World Cup is Changing the Job
We aren't just talking about local politics anymore. With the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics coming, the Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles roles have become international diplomatic positions.
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The Deputy Mayor of Public Safety isn't just worried about local crime; they're now coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security and FIFA. They have to ensure that when millions of tourists land at LAX, the city doesn't just collapse under the weight of the traffic and security needs.
The Budget Crisis: A Deputy Mayor’s Worst Nightmare
Let's be real: things are tight. The 2025-2026 budget summary released by Mayor Bass's office was pretty grim. We're looking at a critical revenue shortfall.
Why? Because liability payments (lawsuits against the city) have tripled. Because the wildfires in the Palisades cost a fortune in emergency response. And because, quite frankly, tax revenue from commercial buildings is still weird post-pandemic.
In this environment, the Deputy Mayors are the ones who have to tell department heads, "No."
"No, you can't hire ten more people."
"No, that park renovation has to wait."
It’s a thankless job. They take the heat so the Mayor can focus on the big-picture vision.
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Misconceptions and Reality Checks
People often confuse "Deputy Mayors" with "City Council members."
- Elected vs. Appointed: Council members are elected by you. Deputy Mayors are hired by the Mayor. If the Mayor loses the 2026 election, all these Deputy Mayors are likely out of a job.
- Legislation: A Deputy Mayor cannot vote on a law. They can only suggest policies and try to lobby the Council to pass them.
- Authority: They don't actually "run" the departments. The Chief of Police technically reports to the Police Commission and the Mayor, but the Deputy Mayor of Public Safety is the daily point of contact. It’s a delicate dance of ego and bureaucracy.
What’s Next for the Bass Administration?
As we move deeper into 2026, keep your eyes on the "Inside Safe" initiative. This is the Mayor's signature program to move people from tents into motels and permanent housing.
The success or failure of this program falls squarely on the shoulders of the Deputy Mayor of Housing and the Chief of Housing and Homelessness Solutions. If the numbers don't improve by the June primary, those Deputy Mayor titles might start looking a lot less stable.
If you are looking to get involved or need to solve a specific issue in your neighborhood, don't just send a generic email to the Mayor's main inbox. Look up the specific Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles who handles your issue. Whether it's sustainability (Nancy Sutley) or public works (Randall Winston), reaching the right "mini-mayor" is the only real way to cut through the noise of City Hall.
To keep track of who is currently holding these roles, you should regularly check the official Mayor of LA Newsroom for staff appointment updates. You can also review the City Directory to see the full hierarchy of the Mayor's executive team.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Identify Your Liaison: If you are a business owner or community leader, find the Deputy Mayor assigned to your sector rather than contacting the general Mayor's office.
- Monitor the 2026 Primary: Keep an eye on how mayoral challengers criticize specific departments; this often signals which Deputy Mayor is under the most pressure.
- Review the Budget: Read the "Budget Summary" documents on the City Clerk's website to see exactly which initiatives are being cut or prioritized by the current deputy staff.