As Rob Wilcox watched candidates campaign for the role of Los Angeles Controller for the past 18 months, he realized he had a vision for the city and decided to step up and run in the 2022 election.
“With the encouragement of the best city controller that LA has ever had, Laura Chick, as my co-chair, I jumped into the race two weeks ago,” Wilcox told the Southern California Record.
While Chick served as controller from 2001 to 2009, Wilcox was deputy city controller and chief deputy inspector general.
“I know the power of the city controller's office,” Wilcox said. “It's one of the most consequential offices in the city of Los Angeles We need change agents in there. The city is at a crossroads right now.”
Wilcox’s vision is to tackle the most pressing problems the city faces, such as homelessness. If elected, Wilcox said he plans to complete a strategic and comprehensive audit of everything homeless.
“The Controller can track every single dollar from the moment it comes in to the moment that it goes out and afterward,” he said. “So, I want to look at every taxpayer dollar that we're spending on anything to do with homelessness and look at the departments like sanitation, the LAPD, the LA Homeless Services Authority, and non-profits. Then, we'll have a clear picture because we know it's not working now.”
Wilcox is no stranger to public service. He has been working as the director of community engagement and outreach for LA City Attorney Mike Feuer. Much like Feuer and Chick, Wilcox considers himself a change agent.
“Mike Feuer has been a leader in consumer protection and also with the Wells Fargo case,” Wilcox said. “The LA City Attorney’s office was the first public entity in the United States to take on Wells Fargo’s fake accounts and also criminal justice reform. So, I have worked by the sides of two terrific elected officials and learned how to make progress and make the city and the world a better place. That's what I think really prepares me for this job.”
The current Controller Ron Galperin is vacating the position so that he can run for a seat on the county Board of Supervisors, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
“Ron Galperin is a friend and I think he's done some amazing things in remaking the controller's office, especially with data, mapping, and reports on inequities and spending on Proposition HHH,” he said. “I'm going to be a different controller. I want to provide roadmaps for city leadership, for the city council, and for the mayor to fix the intractable problems.”
Wilcox, a Democrat, is not without obstacles. He will face Los Angeles Councilman Paul Koretz, also a Democrat, who announced last year that he would run for Controller.
“I'm up against an entrenched power structure including the forces of city hall, the city players, big donors, and special interests that have controlled the city government for so very long,” he said. “I have a clear head and I know that this is a giant job ahead of me. There will be obstacles but I do believe in the power of grassroots politics. I believe that the people, especially in Los Angeles, are extremely angry about what has happened to their city, that they are following this very carefully and they will join my campaign. I believe the obstacles will be overcome.”