Former Rent Stabilization Commissioner Zekiah Wright has pulled nomination papers to join the West Hollywood City Council race in November, they confirmed to WEHOonline.
Wright has until 5 p.m. today to gather all the necessary signatures and have their nomination approved by the city clerk, a process which usually takes much longer than a day.
While Wright, who uses they/them pronouns, announced their intention to run early this summer, they later appeared to be stepping back from a run for Council. Wright previously ran for the position in 2022 but lost out on being elected by the thinnest of margins.
Wright told WEHOonline they were inspired by Kamala Harris’ move to the top of the presidential ticket.
“If it’s not too late for her, it’s not too late for me,” they said.
Should their nomination be approved, their entry into the race could split votes that would have otherwise been cast for Mayor John M. Erickson and Business License Commissioner Danny Hang.
In the 2022 campaign, Wright received immense support from local labor unions — including UNITE HERE Local 11, which has already announced it is endorsing Hang and Erickson in this year’s race.
Fractures have recently grown in the faction of young progressives in West Hollywood politics to which Wright, Hang and Erickson belong.
Wright was unceremoniously removed from the Rent Stabilization Commission this summer by the councilmember who appointed her, Sepi Shyne, for unspecified reasons.
Zekiah appears genuine and demonstrates courage by running even without the political establishment’s coronation.
The “thinnest of margins” means that they came in fourth last time.
“… their entry into the race could split votes that would have otherwise been cast for Mayor John M. Erickson and … Danny Hang.”
So Wright’s candidacy really COULD save our city!
Hard no.
Comparing themselves to Harris. That’s quite a stretch.
Interesting comparison.
Good, I hope that Wright does fracture the vote that would go Erickson and Hang. So far Block, Nickle and Schmeidler are all much better candidates and a much needed breath of fresh air and change of course for West Hollywood! NO on Wright. NO on Erickson and NO on Hang. All union lap dogs.
I like Schmeidler has made the Olympics part of her platform. It’s going to take a lot to get ready and keep our community safe with the influx of people.
Schmeidler’s platform is so broad and presented in such general terms it could be interpreted in any way by voters on polar opposite sides with each thinking she is saying what they want to hear. She has got to be very, very specific about her positions. Larry Block has my vote, and I keep hearing great things about Nickle by people I trust, but I’m waiting on him also to be specific. Wright’s intersectional status alone will generate some support by those who think that is qualification enough, but as far as I know that has never ended well anywhere.… Read more »
I don’t think she’ll do it.
I’d never vote for Zekiah, but I respect them.
Who is “them”? Is she part of a larger political group?
Zekiah goes by the pronouns they/them