Mayor Pro Tem John Erickson is “eyeing” his own foray into the world of politics outside of West Hollywood. Multiple sources confirm Erickson’s interest in running for the California State Senate seat in District 24, currently occupied by Ben Allen.
The 24th Senate District covers the Westside, Hollywood, South Bay, and Santa Monica Mountains communities of Los Angeles County.
With a doctorate in gender studies, Dr. John Erickson was first elected to the West Hollywood City Council in 2020 and is the current Mayor Pro Tem. He will run for re-election in 2024 with the Mayor’s title on the ballot.
Allen was first elected in 2014, re-elected in 2018, and re-elected in 2022. Term limits will force Allen’s exit in 2026.
WEHOville confirmed these rumors on multiple fronts, including an elected official close to Erickson, a lobbyist with deep contacts in political circles, and members of Allen’s contingency at Pride. None of the sources are related.
When asked to comment on his future, the Mayor Pro Tem gave the following statement: “I’m up for re-election for WeHo in 2024. That’s my number one concern and serving this city.”
West Hollywood has become a breeding ground for aspiring political candidates. Erickson’s expected run follows his co-council member Sepi Shyne, who is running for the congressional seat currently occupied by Adam Schiff.
Erickson would easily receive the endorsement of Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. Horvath and Erickson have both been mentored by former West Hollywood Council member Abbe Land.
Erickson currently serves as the Legislative Chair of the Southern California Contract Cities Association. He is the Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and the former President of the ACLU. He is well known in political circles around Southern California.
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God forbid!! We need serious, intelligent, committed people in CA government, not clownish performers who only care about winning a popularity contest and doing the bidding of entities he is taking money from, in return for doing their bidding!
Public officials should be held to higher standards of behavior. Leaders should lead by example. John’s failure on both these counts during his tenure are well documented with one grievance specifically detailed in a letter to the city by a victim of his actions. His actions had the potential to put the health and well-being of some of our more vulnerable residents at risk. There are skeletons in his closet that would not require much digging to find.
Will he be wearing his pearls?
What happened with this guy’s “death threats”?
Why no follow-up to see if they were real?
Unsure about how far Council Member Erickson theatrics will carry him in this potential position for Senator Allen’s seat but it would be nice if something carried him out of West Hollywood. Despite his time working within the city structure he has evidenced a lack of sophisticated demeanor and serious endeavor. It seems he believes his current post is one of public relations minus problem solving expertise. Erickson is perhaps better suited for a theatrical career in entertainment rather than functioning as a court jester on city council who might graduate to the California Senate.
Everybody who wants to run should always run.
Does NOT mean that they should be elected, or win.
I would not support an Erickson bid for state senate.
As reported, Ben Allen will be forced out by term limits in 2026 so the question whether John Erickson should run against Ben Allen for State Senate doesn’t make any sense.
“With a doctorate in gender studies,”
Larry, this isn’t true.
update me, is he not a dr of gender studies, ? got the info from his bio page.
“Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson received his Ph.D. in American Religious History from Claremont Graduate University”
Literally copied and pasted from his bio page. https://erickson4weho.com/about-john
you are always the smartest man in the room, thanks for posting the update, I did not go to his website, but appreciate your diligence. You might as well just join the edit team, I can use lots of help.
American Religious History? Not surprising. Erickson would be great in the Religious Industrial Complex. Grooming children, trans activist, grabbing bucks from unions and developers, total hypocrisy, etc.
You are not totally off base. His BA was in English and gender women’s studies. Erickson calls himself a doctor but he is not an MD. Except probably in his own mind.
Why do you always insist on stating the un-truth, its really annoying
Let’s normalize reporting accurate information. Sorry you’re triggered by the truth?!
No matter what Erikson’s academic credentials are, it only proves how irrelevant higher education now is unless you’re going to become a lawyer or a doctor. But as for some political hack like Erickson it only points out what a waste of time. Because he comes across like some salesman for pearls and women’s nail polish and hair coloring. Obviously, planned Parenthood didn’t hire him because of his academic qualifications but more because of a former city council member whose name sounds like a cul de sac pushed him into the job.
Oh, god no.
I’d rather the devil himself ran for this office.
Erickson is a dangerous buffoon. I hope he keeps the pink hair.