Chris Martin's Vision for District 9 in 2026

Longtime community activist and civil rights attorney Chris Martin is a native of District 9, born and raised in South LA's Historic Central Avenue Corridor, where he still lives to this day. Martin intends to lead with unimpeachable moral standards and a plan centering on empowerment to make lives better for everyone in the neighborhood where he grew up. This is his platform:

EMPOWERMENT IN EMPLOYMENT: Despite heroic efforts by dedicated educators, the skills to thrive in the modern economy are not easily available in District 9. Martin plans to open up a job center on historic Central Avenue to train youth and adults in the ethical, sustainable usage of technology including artificial intelligence. In doing so, it can elevate the standards of living available to our neighbors.

EMPOWERMENT IN HOMEOWNERSHIP: With skyrocketing costs and labyrinthine processes, homeownership is becoming less and less plausible for even people in their thirties and forties. Martin plans to make it easier to own, repair or upgrade homes in the district by increasing the availability of grants.

REASSESS THE BUDGET: A budget is a statement of values. Martin’s is simple: Los Angeles should invest in people first. By strengthening the foundations of our communities, we create real stability and real opportunity for everyone. Los Angeles needs a budget that reflects our real priorities: stable housing, economic opportunity, and healthy families. Right now, too much of our spending is locked into old approaches that aren’t delivering the results our community deserves.

Martin will push for a comprehensive, transparent reassessment of city spending to ensure every dollar truly serves the people of the 9th District. That means identifying waste, improving accountability, divesting from institutions that have historically hurt our community and reinvesting in programs that have a proven impact: affordable housing, youth development, mental-health services, small business support, and neighborhood infrastructure.