Inglewood Mayor · Nov 3, 2026

James T. Butts Jr.

Candidate for Mayor (incumbent)

12 candidates · 3 seats10 sourced positions

James T. Butts Jr., the incumbent, is running for mayor of Inglewood in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Gloria D. Gray, Fre'Drisha Dixon, Raina Carrillo, Arturo Martinez and Joe Soto.

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Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing · Mon, Oct 5, 2026

Today

Mayor of Inglewood since 2011 and former Santa Monica chief of police. He served 19 years in the Inglewood Police Department.

Occupation (from candidate statement): Mayor of Inglewood

Where James T. Butts Jr. stands: positions on the record

Rent control1 sourced position

as reported by The LA Local; written questionnaire answer
Says he led passage of Inglewood's first rent control laws.
“I’m proud to have led and passed Inglewood’s first rent control laws which protects existing renters from harassment and displacement.”
Own statementThe LA Local · Sep 14, 2026

Transit connector1 sourced position

as reported by The LA Local; written questionnaire answer
Says he secured funding for the Inglewood Transit Connector to ease event-day traffic.
“That’s why I’ve secured millions of dollars in funding for the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC).”
Own statementThe LA Local · Sep 14, 2026

Eminent domain1 sourced position

Voted yes on resolutions of necessity to acquire Market Street and Florence Avenue properties by eminent domain for the Inglewood Transit Connector mobility hub (passed 4-0, February 2026; Gloria Gray absent).
Council voteInglewood City Council minutes, February 10, 2026 (in the June 9, 2026 council agenda packet, item M-1) · Feb 10, 2026

Water rates1 sourced position

Voted yes on increasing water, sewer and recycled water rates (passed 4-0, December 2025; Gloria Gray absent).
Council voteInglewood City Council minutes, December 16, 2025 (in the April 7, 2026 council agenda packet, item M-1) · Dec 16, 2025

Housing1 sourced position

Voted yes on rezoning about 68 acres at the Morningside High and Monroe Middle school sites from single-family to multifamily residential (5-0, November 2025).
Council voteInglewood City Council minutes, November 18, 2025 (in the Feb. 10, 2026 council agenda packet, item M-1) · Nov 18, 2025

Police technology1 sourced position

Voted yes on a five-year agreement with Axon, up to $6,275,722, for a police public safety technology package (5-0, June 2026).
Council voteInglewood City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 (in the July 21, 2026 council agenda packet, item M-1) · Jun 9, 2026

Ballot measures1 sourced position

Voted to send the ticket-tax and billboard initiatives to the Nov. 3 ballot (4-0, July 2026; Dionne Faulk absent).
Council voteThe LA Local · Jul 23, 2026

City budget1 sourced position

Voted to approve the 2026-27 city budget, which projects a $30.8 million deficit (4-0, September 2026; Eloy Morales Jr. absent).
Council voteThe LA Local · Sep 29, 2026

Police body cameras1 sourced position

statement to The LA Local
Said he opposes the proposed body camera and police commission ballot initiatives, saying police policy should be set by the police and overseen by the council.
“It attempts to proscribe police policy that should be set by the police and overseen by the City Council,”
Own statementThe LA Local · Jun 18, 2026

Past candidacies1 sourced position

Ran for Mayor of Inglewood in 2022 (won).
Own statementLos Angeles County election results · Nov 8, 2022

Also running for Mayor

All 12 Inglewood candidates →

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