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Jose Ugarte's Record

Jose Ugarte is on the ballot for Los Angeles City Council District 9 on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Here is his public record, with sources.

Does Jose Ugarte live in District 9?

South L.A. Residents Ask D.A. to Act

Video, 0:30: residents at the courthouse and the District Attorney’s Office, Oct. 26.

South LA residents have signed a complaint saying they believe City Council candidate Jose Ugarte doesn’t live in the district he’s running to represent. If they’re right, his candidacy is illegal.

On Monday, Oct. 26, they asked the Los Angeles County District Attorney to investigate. City law requires council candidates to have lived in their district since at least January 3, 2026.

Residents say the evidence doesn’t add up:

  • He said in an interview that he owns the house. County records show someone else does.
  • Neighbors say the house looks unoccupied, and they have never seen his wife or daughter there.
  • His own campaign filings from this summer list his wife’s address in Huntington Park.
  • Hardly any public records tie Ugarte to the 43rd Street house he claims as home.

“We deserve a council member who actually lives in our neighborhood,” residents said. Election Day is November 3. They’re asking the DA to act before the votes are counted. (ACCE Action press release, Oct. 26, 2026)

Video transcript

“I’m here at the courts, because we’re demanding Jose Ugarte show proof that he lives in South Central LA.”

“He has a property in CD9 that he says he’s purchased, except county records show that the property is owned by someone else. We’ve talked to neighbors. There’s no indication that his family lives there. You try keeping a small child and a dog inside the house all day. It is not possible. They would be visible to neighbors. And the neighbors say the property looks completely unoccupied.”

“We want the district attorney to do a thorough investigation on his residency here in South Central.”

Who is Jose Ugarte?

Jose Ugarte is a longtime City Hall staffer running for the open L.A. City Council District 9 seat. He worked for Councilmember Curren Price from 2013 to 2019, left to run a lobbying business with his sister, and returned to Price’s office in 2021. (MyNewsLA; LAist)

Was Jose Ugarte a lobbyist?

Yes. In 2019, Ugarte left Councilmember Curren Price’s office to run a lobbying business with his sister. The firm, Ugarte and Associates, was registered with the state in 2018, and its website called it “a lobbying, and political consulting firm.” (LAist; L.A. City Ethics Commission)

Was Jose Ugarte fined by the L.A. Ethics Commission?

Yes. On Feb. 18, 2026, the L.A. City Ethics Commission ordered Ugarte to pay a $25,000 fine (Case No. 2022-028). While working for the City Council, he failed to disclose his lobbying and consulting firm and nearly half a million dollars in payments to it, on financial disclosure forms he signed under penalty of perjury. He admitted seven violations, including filing one required form 285 days late. In October 2025, the commission rejected an earlier $17,500 settlement after two commissioners said it was not enough. (L.A. City Ethics Commission; LAist; Los Angeles Times)

Who is spending money to elect Jose Ugarte?

In the June 2026 primary, independent groups funded by Airbnb and the California Apartment Association spent more than $1 million supporting Ugarte. (LAist)

How is Estuardo Mazariegos different?

Estuardo Mazariegos is a community organizer who came to Los Angeles from Guatemala as a child. He is endorsed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and United Teachers Los Angeles. (LAist)

When is the election?

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Every registered voter in L.A. County gets a ballot in the mail. Return it by mail, at an official drop box, or at any vote center. (L.A. County Registrar)

Meet Estuardo Mazariegos

Sources