Maria Lou Calanche

Candidate for City Council in Los Angeles, CA

Maria Lou Calanche is a candidate for City Council District 1 in Los Angeles, California — 2026 Primary Election.

Also running: Sylvia Robledo, Eunisses Hernandez, Raul Claros, Nelson Grande.

Maria "Lou" Calanche is a candidate for Los Angeles City Council District 1. Raised in Boyle Heights, she founded the nationally recognized nonprofit Legacy LA to support local youth and gang prevention. She currently serves as the Executive Director of ExpandLA, leading a network of youth-serving organizations. Calanche previously worked as a political science professor at East Los Angeles College, served as a field deputy at City Hall, and was appointed to the LA Police Commission.