John Duran
Current and Former Elected Officials
- California Secretary of State Alex Padilla
- California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara
- State Assembly member Richard Bloom
- Former State Assembly member Betsy Butler
- Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
- Former Los Angeles Mayor and California State Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa
- Former California State Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez
- Former Santa Monica Mayor Bobby Shriver
- Former Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman
- West Basin Municipal Water District Board Member Scott Houston
Labor and Advocacy Organizations
- Municipal Employees (WEHOME), AFSCME, Local 3339, AFL-CIO
- Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS)
City Commissioners and Advisory Board Members
- Dallas Dishman, Arts and Cultural Affairs Commissioner
- Catherine “Cat” Lee, Arts and Cultural Affairs Commissioner
- Madeleine Rackley, Arts and Cultural Affairs Commissioner
- Todd Williamson, Arts and Cultural Affairs Commissioner
- Keith Anthony, Business License Commissioner
- Kimberly Copeland, Business License Commissioner
- Robert Kalonian, Business License Commissioner
- Sibyl Zaden, Business License Commissioner
- Jacob Lajoie, Historic Preservation Commissioner chair
- Yawar Charlie, Historic Preservation Commissioner
- Francesco Gallo, Historic Preservation Commissioner
- Ed Levin, Historic Preservation Commissioner
- Jimmy Palmieri, Human Services Commissioner
- Adam Bass, Planning Commissioner chair
- John Altschul, Planning Commissioner
- Sue Buckner, Planning Commissioner
- Rogerio Cavalheiro, Planning Commissioner
- Elaine Polachek, Public Facilities Commissioner
- Donna Saur, former Public Facilities Commissioner
- Desiree Sol , Public Safety Commissioner
- Garrett Charity, Rent Stabilization Commissioner
- Josh Kurpies, Rent Stabilization Commissioner
- Gail Sanes, former Rent Stabilization Commissioner
- Misti Cooper, Transportation Commissioner
- David Eichman, Transportation Commissioner
- Khuong Hang, Disabilities Advisory Board chair
- Jason Frazier, Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board member
- Robert Gamboa, Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board co-chair
- Lucas John Junkin, Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board member
- James Duke Mason, Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board member
- Ruth Tittle, Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board member
- Larisa Danilova, Russian Advisory Board member
- Valentina Matiji, Russian Advisory Board member
- Sofia Gelman, Senior Advisory Board member
- Michael Hollingsworth, Senior Advisory Board chair
- Lee Walkup, Senior Advisory Board member
- Erika De La Cruz, Transgender Advisory Board member
- Jacob Rostovsky, Transgender Advisory Board member
- James Wen , Transgender Advisory Board member
- Tina Moore, Women’s Advisory Board member
- Amanda Smash Hyde, former Women’s Advisory Board member
Business Owners and Activists
- Alternative Herbal Health Services (AHHS) owner Jason Beck
- Former Café D’Etoile restaurant owner Tom Doherty
- Hamburger Mary’s Bar and Grille owner Dale Warner
- Micky’s owner Michael Niemeyer
- Revolver Video Bar owner Chris Miller
- Whisky a Go Go owner Mikeal Maglieri
- Yogurt Stop co-owners Marta Knittel and Shoshana Joseph
- “Save Tara” activist Allegra Allison
Duran’s support in the business community isn’t really support as much as it is fear of his well-known harboring of long-term grudges against those who oppose him. Nobody wants to risk his middle finger when it comes time for a Council vote.
++Correction (although the author would have no way of knowing this because the website has not been updated) I have endorsed John Duran, John Erickson and John Heilman**
But who ya gonna vote for u only get 2 – can’t make a decision ! Another suck up.
It is part of the club and another example of the extraordinary egos of commissioners in this tiny town. The earth-shattering news of the endorsement of a commissioner apparently called for a “correction” to the reporting. Who cares?
I wasn’t interviewed for this article nor did I know it was going to be written. When I read the article and noticed the omitted fact, I corrected the record. Had the author said I was “listed” on the endorsement pages of Duran and Erickson I would not have felt the need to comment, however, the author phrased it in a way that I felt needed clarification. Facts matter to me.
But still, you’re endorsing three toilets for two seats. Quaint political games by people on the playground.
As a Persian woman of color I find it incredibly disturbing that Sepi Shyne is supported by the extremist far right-wing National Iranian American Council! They directly support the Islamic Republic of Iran, they are anti-woman, they are anti-LGBTQ+, they support a fundamentalist theological government oppressing free people of Iran. My family had to leave Iran because of that oppression and we will NOT live in a city led by someone like Sepi Shyne who accepts support from right wing anti liberal groups like NIAC. No way no Shyne. No thanks.
Sepi, is this true?
As a progressive, gay Persian whose family also fled Iran after the Revolution, I find it appalling that you throw out a bunch of inaccurate accusations about a non-profit and non-partisan organization whose mission is to advance peace and diplomacy and to champion civil and human rights for the Iranian people. What’s your evidence that NIAC is a “right wing anti liberal group?” NIAC was key in lobbying for the nuclear deal, advocates against arbitrary executions by the Iranian government, supports the MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements, among others. These sure aren’t right wing. Finally, regardless of who has… Read more »
I’m sorry to weigh in when I am personally not familiar w this group and how to determine what they stand for or want to make people think they stand for while actually it’s a front. It’s obvious that what’s on my the surface is bull. As far as the candidate stands for I’ve witnessed many council meetings and issues over the years and do not recall her making a difference in any substantive topic. I know she’s Persian, and gay, and liberal, but also she does not appear to honor gay men and I’ve met lesbians like that before… Read more »
I am confused, if the NIAC is anti-woman and anti- LBGTQ+, WHY would they support a Lesbian Woman for Council?
Whom.
I agree with Lauren Meister. Picking a candidate requires more thought and homework than simply looking at a list of meaningless endorsements, particularly the ones from incestuous political clubs. Thought and homework are how Ms. Meister approaches her service as a member of the city council, too. I recommend others give it a shot. I think the term “influential” is used quite liberally in this article. The entire exercise in garnering endorsements is futile and mere window dressing when we should be opening the blinds. The Stonewall Democrat Club should be mocked for its blatantly unfair process and resulting endorsement… Read more »
“Block’s list of endorsements also contains a large number of West Hollywood residents, who may not be on a board or commission, but still keep up with city politics.”
WHAT??? This is true of every single candidate. Blatant favoritism. Disappointed in Wehoville here.
If a endorsement is not listed it not favoritism it’s stupidity on the other candidates – don’t blame the reporter. Shows ur blatant favoritism .
It says something good about both Cynthia Blatt and Larry Block that she has chosen to look past any prior disagreements to endorse him. She is spot on about his stepping up to protect our most at risk residents from COVID-19 through high quality mask donation- I donated $80 to his effort myself, and purchased masks from him for myself and other community members, which kept us all safer. Like the Yogurt Stop ladies, he is not one to sit around and complain, but confronts reality head on with creative solutions. He has a demonstrated history of active engagement in… Read more »