Hank Preston is a Los Santos politician and former port official who served as the 43rd Mayor of Los Santos from 2023 to 2025. A former forklift and crane operator, he later became Director of the Port Authority before entering municipal politics. His administration focused on employment, public services, infrastructure and government reform. Preston sought re-election but was succeeded by Andrew Brandenburg.
Hank Preston is a Los Santos politician, former labourer and port official who served as the 43rd Mayor of Los Santos. He was elected on September 9, 2023, and sworn into office at Los Santos City Hall the following day.
Preston began his career at the Port of Los Santos as a forklift and crane operator. He later entered port administration and became Director of the Port Authority before launching a political movement centred on local employment, public investment and reduced dependence on established political parties.
Early life and port career
Preston was raised in Los Santos and he began working at the Port of Los Santos more than thirty years before his election as mayor. His first positions included work as a forklift and crane operator, giving him direct experience of the city’s dockyards and blue-collar workforce.
Preston later advanced through the port’s administration and became Director of the Port Authority. His responsibilities included supporting port operations, employment and commercial development.
His background at the port became a central part of his political identity. Preston frequently presented himself as an advocate for dockworkers, trade unions, small businesses and working families.
Political career
He established the Los Santos First movement, which promoted a locally focused platform based on employment, public safety, government accessibility and civic pride.
Preston was elected as the 43rd Mayor of Los Santos on September 9, 2023. He formally assumed office during a swearing-in ceremony at City Hall on September 10.
Mayor of Los Santos
Preston stated that his administration would represent the interests of residents across the city rather than political parties or special-interest groups.
His programme focused on equitable employment opportunities, government transparency, infrastructure and making the mayor’s office more accessible to the public. He also sought to restore activity within municipal departments that his administration described as inactive or poorly managed.
Preston promoted cooperation between residents, businesses, labour organisations and city agencies. He argued that improvements to public safety, employment and infrastructure required participation from both government and the wider community.
Government reform
Preston’s administration presented government reform as one of its principal achievements.
According to his re-election campaign, the city restored elections for several offices previously occupied by inactive officials. Preston argued that this returned decision-making power to residents and increased accountability within the city government.
His administration also created or reorganised municipal departments and supported stronger oversight of public officials.
Re-election campaign
Preston later announced that he would seek a second term as mayor.
His campaign used the slogan “Honesty, Integrity, Proven Leadership” and continued to operate under the Los Santos First name. Preston presented his first term as a period of rebuilding following years of government inactivity.
The campaign focused on safe streets, infrastructure, well-paid employment and support for working families. Preston also called for cooperation with trade unions, small businesses and local communities.
His proposed second-term programme included reducing corruption, increasing political accountability, expanding healthcare and education and strengthening law enforcement.
Preston was not returned for a second term and was succeeded by Andrew Brandenburg, who became the 44th Mayor of Los Santos in 2025.
WE Controversy
Preston’s administration faced scrutiny over an agreement that outsourced the organisation of city events to the private company WE. Leaked financial records raised questions about large public payments, including transfers made directly to company executives, as well as limited oversight of event spending.
The contract was also criticised for clauses concerning media access, liability and auditing. No official finding of wrongdoing against Preston or WE was announced.