2026 CANDIDATE SURVEY
Raul Claros
Candidate for Los Angeles City Council District 1
To help foster greater discussion about reforming City Hall, we asked City of LA candidates to participate in a six question survey. Half of the questions seek general feedback, and the rest are issue specific.
Please note survey responses, candidate information, and website links are provided for informational/educational purposes only. Fair Rep LA is presenting these responses as submitted without edit, evaluation, or commentary. Fair Rep LA does not endorse, support, or oppose candidates or their responses in any way.
Survey Info:
-
Answers: Respondents were told that questions could be answered in 1-2 sentences, and that while additional context was welcome, the form had a 1,250 character limit for each question (approximately 200 words).
-
Resource Document: Additional background information was provided via a resource document.
-
Participation: Surveys were sent to all City of LA candidates qualified to appear on the ballot. This is a very busy time for candidates, so we appreciate everyone who made time to respond. Please avoid reading too much into a candidate’s lack of participation. We respect the limited bandwidth campaigns have, and it's possible that our request(s) may have been lost in their inbox.
-
Background: The City of Los Angeles is undergoing the first comprehensive review of our city’s governance structure in 27 years. The Charter Reform Commission recently transmitted a report containing over 60 recommendations to the City Council, who will soon be deciding what will be sent to the November ballot for potential approval by voters.
I strongly support reforms that increase accountability, transparency, and neighborhood representation. Expanding access to government, strengthening ethics oversight, improving language accessibility, and ensuring communities have a stronger voice in City Hall are critical if we want residents to trust local government again.
My biggest concern is implementing major structural reforms without first rebuilding public trust and improving basic city services. Any reform must be practical, transparent, fiscally responsible, and clearly explained to voters so communities understand how these changes will directly improve representation and quality of life.
I believe Los Angeles should also explore stronger accountability measures tied to performance, timelines for city services, and neighborhood level responsiveness. Residents want a city government that works efficiently, responds quickly, and delivers results across every neighborhood, not just during election season.
Yes, I support increasing the number of council districts because Los Angeles has grown significantly and residents deserve more localized representation. CD1 alone shows how difficult it is for one office to effectively serve such a large population, but any expansion should also include clear accountability standards and cost transparency.
I am open to Ranked Choice Voting and believe voters deserve a system that encourages broader participation and reduces divisiveness. However, voter education and language accessibility must be prioritized before implementation to ensure every community fully understands the process and feels confident participating.
I support increasing civic engagement among young people and believe students should have a stronger voice in issues directly impacting their education and future. I would support further discussion around allowing 16 and 17 year olds to participate in LAUSD School Board elections while ensuring there is strong civic education and public input throughout the process.