James Hahn

James Hahn

James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American lawyer and politician. Hahn was elected the 40th Mayor of Los Angeles in 2001. He served until 2005, at which time he was defeated in his bid for re-election. Prior to his term as mayor, Hahn served in several other capacities for the city of Los Angeles, including Deputy City Attorney (1975–1979), City Controller (1981–1985) and City Attorney (1985–2001). Hahn is the only individual in the city's history to have been elected to all three citywide offices. He is currently a sitting judge on the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

As Mayor, Hahn appointed Bill Bratton, the former NYPD Commissioner, as Police Chief of Los Angeles and chose not to renew Bernard Parks's second term as Chief. Bratton's appointment is widely seen as leading to the sharp declines in Los Angeles' crime rate and improved morale in the department. Hahn also led the successful campaign to defeat secession in the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood, and San Pedro, thereby keeping Los Angeles intact. While he is noted primarily for these two accomplishments, they also helped lead to his unsuccessful re-election bid; African Americans upset at Parks' ouster and San Fernando Valley residents disappointed with the secession verdict had been the two constituencies that had propelled him to victory in 2001.

Hahn is the brother of Congresswoman Janice Hahn, the nephew of former California State Assemblyman and Los Angeles City Councilman Gordon Hahn, and the son of former Los Angeles City Councilman and long-time Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn.