Bennie Tinson, is a proud product of Compton — raised here, educated here, and committed to building a stronger future for every resident of the 2nd District.
A graduate of the Compton Unified School District, Bennie went on to earn a Master of Public Policy and has spent his career in public service. As a Community College Professor, he has invested in the next generation of leaders. As an SEIU Union Organizer, he has fought for workers’ rights and fair wages. And as a Paralegal in the Compton City Attorney’s Office, he gained firsthand knowledge of how Compton’s city government works — giving him the ability to hit the ground running from day one.
Today, Bennie serves as Executive Director of LARCA (Licensed Adult Residential Care Association), a nonprofit working in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to address homelessness and advocate for housing and care for the most vulnerable residents in our community.
Bennie has stood alongside LA Mayor Karen Bass at the NAMI Walks Mental Health Festival and celebrated the passage of Measure A with LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn — a measure that will fund critical homeless services across the county.
He will lead with honesty, integrity, and transparency.
My journey in public service began not with a formal invitation, but with fifty cents and a relentless desire to serve.
In the summer of 1997, fresh home from my first year of college, I didn’t wait for an internship posting or a family connection. I dressed in my Sunday’s best — a black suit, white shirt, and black tie — and boarded the Compton Renaissance bus headed downtown. When my mother asked where I was going, my answer was simple: I was going to find a way to serve my community.
My search for a role in the legal and civic landscape of Compton was a lesson in persistence. I first walked into the office of the legendary Attorney and former Compton City Councilman Maxie Filer. While he didn’t have an opening, his mentorship guided me toward the next door. I spent the morning in the courtroom of Judge Kelvin Filer, observing the weight of the law in action.
As the court broke for lunch, I realized that opportunity wouldn’t come to me. I had to approach it.
“Your Honor, may I approach the bench?”
Standing before Judge Filer, I didn’t ask for a handout — I asked for the chance to work. That moment of boldness led me to the Compton City Attorney’s Office. With my resumé in hand and a commitment to the residents of the City of Compton, I made my case.
That summer, I was hired as an intern. What started as a student’s quest to serve evolved into a full-time career. Working within the City Attorney’s Office gave me an intricate understanding of how Compton’s government works — and the profound impact that dedicated public servants have on the lives of real people.
Decades ago, I approached the bench to ask for a chance to serve. Today, I approach my neighbors with that same spirit: initiative, honesty, and transparency. My leadership philosophy hasn’t changed since I was nineteen.
Community First. Progress Always.
