Hard work used to be enough. Eric grew up believing that — his mother was a teacher, his father was an accountant, and they taught him that education and a good job were the foundation of a secure life. That belief drove everything that followed: from working alongside farmworkers in apple warehouses, to running a small business in West LA, to leading a city through a pandemic.

Eric Alegria has lived the economy from every angle — as a small business owner making payroll, as a health care executive running operations, as a California Film Commissioner protecting entertainment jobs, and as a Mayor who reduced taxes while balancing the budget. He knows how hard it is to build a life in Southern California. And he knows that when people can't succeed despite their hard work, we all lose.

The Obstacles Keeping Californians from a Fair Economic Start:

The numbers tell the story: only 11% of households can afford a home in LA County. The cost of doing business is nearly 20% higher than the national average. Film and TV production still hasn't fully recovered. And the devastation of the Palisades and Eaton fires has added urgency to our need for long-term economic resilience.

At the same time, our region is preparing to host the World Cup and Olympics — opportunities that could fuel growth and create jobs if we have leaders ready to harness them.

But right now, too many families are doing everything right and still falling behind. Costs keep rising, good jobs are harder to find, and staying in the community you love feels like a luxury. It's time to remove the obstacles keeping Californians from reaching their potential.

How Eric Will Lead

Eric will bring the same approach to the economy that has defined his career — bringing people together, focusing on what works, and delivering results:

• Champion good jobs with good wages — promoting careers with livable wages and benefits so families can provide for their loved ones and save for their future.

• Build career pathways for everyone — supporting job training and apprenticeship programs that connect workers to good-paying careers without requiring a college degree, and help businesses find the skilled workers they need.

• Bring entertainment jobs back to California — expanding film tax credits and incentives to keep production and good union jobs in Los Angeles, building on his work as a California Film Commissioner.

• Support small businesses — increasing access to capital, cutting through red tape, and helping entrepreneurs start and grow businesses that create jobs close to home. Eric knows what this takes — he's done it himself for over a decade.

• Expand homeownership — providing more first-time homebuyer grants and helping public servants like teachers, police officers, and firefighters afford homes in the communities where they serve.

• Fix the insurance crisis — holding insurance companies accountable for maintaining coverage and paying claims quickly after disasters, so families and businesses aren't priced out of California.

• Prepare for what's ahead — positioning our region to harness the economic opportunities of the World Cup and Olympics while building the long-term climate resilience our economy needs.