Gray Leads Butts as Inglewood Mayoral Race Heads Toward Runoff

The latest results in Inglewood’s mayoral contest put City Councilmember Gloria Gray ahead of incumbent James Butts, 32.65% to 29.22%. Fre’Drisha “Sha” Dixon was third with 16.80%. Ballots are still being counted, and a runoff will be held if no candidate finishes above 50%. The initial results on election night had Gray at 34.51% and Butts at 29.88%. Both said they were prepared for a possible head-to-head contest.

Butts has been mayor since 2011 and has won reelection three times. His tenure has included efforts to bring major sports venues to Inglewood, including SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome, as well as renovations at the Kia Forum. He has described the development as a revival for a city that previously faced a financial crisis.

The race has also featured questions about whether stadium-led development benefits longtime residents and local businesses, and concerns about transparency in city decision-making. Stadium interests donated $25,000 to Gray, while Butts has criticized major spending by stadiums on election campaigns. His campaign has received support from billboard companies and developers.

A high school student filed a claim alleging Butts touched her inappropriately. Butts has denied the allegation and characterized it as political warfare. Gray, a retired healthcare administrator, previously led the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

The eventual winner will lead Inglewood as it prepares to host events during the 2028 Summer Olympics and will face the task of rebuilding the city’s financial relationship with SoFi Stadium. The vote count will determine whether Gray and Butts meet in a runoff.

Inglewood Voters Could Get a Choice After 15 Years of Butts

Inglewood’s mayoral race may give voters a direct choice between incumbent James Butts and councilmember Gloria Gray after the latest count showed Gray ahead, 32.65% to 29.22%. With ballots still being counted, a runoff follows if no one tops 50%. Fre’Drisha “Sha” Dixon had 16.80%.

Butts has led the city since 2011, overseeing major stadium and venue development. He has called that growth a renaissance, but residents and business owners have questioned whether they are benefiting and raised concerns about transparency in city decisions. Those questions matter as Inglewood prepares for the 2028 Olympics and works to repair its financial relationship with SoFi Stadium.

The campaign has drawn substantial involvement from stadium interests. One gave Gray $25,000, while Butts has criticized stadium spending on election campaigns as an effort to control the city. His own campaign has support from billboard companies and developers, placing competing business interests squarely in the race.

A high school student filed a claim alleging Butts touched her inappropriately; he denies the allegation and calls it political warfare. The claim is part of the election’s backdrop, not a finding of wrongdoing. Gray is a retired healthcare administrator and a current councilmember. The continuing count will decide whether voters get a runoff contest between the two leading candidates.

Stadium Money and Development Put Inglewood’s Mayor Race in Focus

Inglewood’s mayoral contest is about who will guide a city transformed by major sports venues, and the latest count put incumbent James Butts behind councilmember Gloria Gray, 29.22% to 32.65%. Fre’Drisha “Sha” Dixon stood at 16.80%. Counting continues; without a candidate above 50%, the race goes to a runoff.

Butts has been mayor since 2011 and helped establish an NFL presence in Southern California and bring an NBA franchise to Inglewood, with SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome among the venues tied to the city. He has also helped negotiate Kia Forum renovations. The next mayor will lead Inglewood as it hosts events for the 2028 Olympics and faces a strained financial relationship with SoFi Stadium.

Butts has accused stadium interests of trying to take control of the city through spending on ballot measures and the mayor’s race. One stadium interest donated $25,000 to Gray. Butts’s campaign, in turn, has support from billboard companies and developers, making business influence a central issue for voters.

The race also follows a high school student’s claim that Butts touched her inappropriately. He denies the allegation and says it is political warfare. Gray, a retired healthcare administrator, is a councilmember and has chaired the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The final count will determine whether voters decide between the two in a runoff.