City Council candidates’ official ballot statements

Read the ballot statements submitted by the candidates for West Hollywood City Council.

STEFANIE LAHART

As a proud 30-year resident of West Hollywood, I am deeply committed to our community’s vibrant future. My name is Stefanie LaHart, and I am running for West Hollywood City Council to champion the needs of our local businesses, enhance public safety, and address the pressing issues of homelessness and mental health.

As the founder of Boomtown Marketing, I have over 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic business development. My professional journey has equipped me with the skills to understand and navigate the challenges faced by small businesses. I am passionate about creating a thriving local economy by advocating for policies that streamline permitting processes, offer financial incentives, and provide essential resources for business development. I believe that by fostering a business-friendly environment, we can ensure West Hollywood remains a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Public safety is a top priority for me. As a renter on the eastside of West Hollywood, I am acutely aware of the safety concerns that many residents face, particularly with the rise in homelessness, drug addiction, and untreated mental health issues. My proactive efforts in addressing the problematic vacant property at 1030 N Sierra Bonita, which burned on Thanksgiving night 2023, demonstrated the impact one dedicated individual can have on local government action. This experience has inspired me to bring the same determination and leadership to the City Council. If elected, I will work tirelessly to enhance public safety by increasing police presence in high-risk areas and investing in community policing programs.

My experience resolving the vacant property issue highlights my commitment to proactive community engagement and swift action to address safety concerns. By working closely with residents and local law enforcement, we can create a safer and more secure environment for everyone in West Hollywood. Addressing homelessness and mental health is another critical issue I plan to prioritize. I believe that addiction recovery is key to life transformation. I will work to enhance support services for our unhoused neighbors, including expanding access to mental health and addiction treatment programs. By collaborating with local organizations and neighboring cities, we can develop comprehensive solutions that provide both immediate relief and long-term stability for those in need. My campaign is driven by a deep commitment to the health and future of our local businesses and the wellbeing of our community. Together, we can build a brighter, safer, and more inclusive West Hollywood.

JOHN M. ERICKSON

Since being elected in 2020 to the West Hollywood City Council, Mayor John Erickson has shown us what a courageous coalition builder can achieve – passing the highest minimum wage in the country, reducing homelessness, expanding services to our transgender and sober communities, senior citizens, and improving our economic recovery. As V.P. at Planned Parenthood and our City’s representative to the Clean Power Alliance, National League of Cities, and an Executive Board Member for California Contract Cities Association, Mayor John Erickson has forged critical relationships to solve the region’s toughest problems. Mayor John Erickson’s priorities for his next term on the City Council include:

– Protecting renters, expanding affordable housing, and continuing his successful work in reducing homelessness.

– Working with our first responders, Block by Block teams, and residents to continue reducing crime.

– Expanding transportation options and steering the region towards cleaner air, healthier drinking water and greater sustainability.

-Protecting WeHo’s remarkable budget surplus and investing our tax dollars in programs that help residents thrive.

Mayor Erickson is endorsed for City Council by a broad coalition including: Congressmember Adam Schiff Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Sheriff Robert Luna Los Angeles County Firefighters Sierra Club Equality California National Organization for Women Vote to re-elect Mayor John Erickson to ensure that West Hollywood continues on a path of equity, diversity, and sustainability.

DANNY HANG

My name is Danny Hang and I currently serve on the West Hollywood Business License Commission, as well as the State of California Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE).

I am a Southern California native and am the proud son of Chinese-Vietnamese refugees who fled the Vietnam War in search of hope, freedom, and the American dream. The son of a union worker, I saw firsthand how my father worked long hours as a machinist and became a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 725. I am a passionate advocate of professional growth and vocational equity. I believe that workers are the backbone of the most powerful economy in the world, and deserve a fair and equitable wage. I am the son of an immigrant small business owner. I watched my mother’s nail salon succeed and slowly serve as an equalizer leading to a pathway to the American middle class for our family.

I know firsthand that small businesses are vital to creating local jobs and growing the West Hollywood economy. Immigrantowned small businesses are centerpieces of their neighborhoods, and they contribute in a meaningful way to the diversity and vibrancy of the West Hollywood community. A great example of this is the economic and community oriented success that West Hollywood’s thriving Russian speaking community has continued to achieve throughout the years. As a first-generation college graduate who attended Loyola Marymount University; I began my career in public service at the Social Security Administration, helping older adults and people with disabilities get Supplemental Security Income benefits. Having fueled my passion for serving others, I returned to school to pursue a double master’s in Social Work and Gerontology from USC. I now work in disability retirement services for Los Angeles County, helping permanently disabled fire and police responders, as well as other county employees.

My involvement with the disabled community led to my first appointment as an at-large member of the West Hollywood Disabilities Advisory Board. In that capacity I worked hard to address issues affecting people with disabilities, including ADA compliance, transportation, housing, and access to City government and services for people with disabilities. I was later appointed to the West Hollywood Business License Commission. My priority is to improve the community through servant leadership and I would be honored to serve as your next West Hollywood City Councilmember.

DORIAN JACKSON

With 18 years of residency in West Hollywood and a robust background in public service, I am honored to present myself as a candidate for City Council.

My deep connection to our community and experiences equip me to address the issues that matter most to our residents. Homelessness is a pressing challenge that requires a thoughtful, multifaceted approach. I am committed to enhancing support services, expanding affordable housing, and implementing effective solutions that balance compassion with practicality.

Safety is essential for a thriving community. I will focus on bolstering our public safety measures, improving emergency response systems, and fostering a safe environment where every resident feels secure and valued. Caring for our elderly and young families is a top priority. I will work to expand resources for senior services and caregiving, while also supporting initiatives that ensure young families have access to the resources they need to prosper. Additionally, I am passionate about bringing and maintaining diverse businesses in West Hollywood.

By supporting local entrepreneurs and fostering a dynamic business environment, we can strengthen our economy and enhance the unique character of our city. My slogan, “Your Voice, Your Future, Your City,” embodies my commitment to listening to and representing the diverse needs of our community. Together, we can continue to build a West Hollywood that is inclusive, safe, and vibrant for all. I humbly ask for your support and vote to bring a dedicated, experienced, and forward-thinking approach to our West Hollywood City Council.

JORDAN COCKERAM

I love West Hollywood. It’s more than just a city to me, and it’s been my home for over 11 years.

However, our beloved home is facing challenges that require bold and innovative solutions. From the rising costs of housing that threatens to displace our residents and also dash the hopes of young people looking to move here for the first time; from businesses closing their doors every day, to the need for safer streets and for people to feel safe, it’s clear that we need leaders who are willing to listen, act, and fight for the well-being of all our residents and stakeholders, and right now, we don’t have that.

That’s why I’m running for city council. On housing, I would like to implement a density credit transfer system to ensure that new projects built in West Hollywood provide affordable units, so we aren’t pricing out our most vulnerable residents, while still maximizing the amount of units we are building and maintaining West Hollywood’s unique charm.

On business, I believe our business community is imperative to the success of our city. Right now, small businesses are struggling to open quickly because of the disorganization of the approval processes. I want to create an online dashboard that would streamline the process by showing what items are due, when they have been turned in and received, and who is responsible for next steps, dramatically reducing the long waits our new business owners are experiencing. On public safety, I believe it needs to be our top priority. We need to support our sheriff’s deputies by giving them the resources they need to safely and effectively do their jobs, instead of reducing them, and we need to expand the necessary services required when dealing with those experiencing homelessness to help get them off our streets and into the appropriate care that they need.

I have a vision for a more equitable, sustainable, and thriving West Hollywood for everyone – residents, businesses, visitors, and those who work, live, and play here. I want to be a catalyst for your success, and as a West Hollywood Commissioner, I know I can do it. Please visit my website: JordanForWeho.com for more information, and please feel free to contact me with any ideas, questions, or concerns at (612) 366-5190, or [email protected]. I humbly ask for one of your two votes for West Hollywood City Council on or before November 5th. Thank you

LARRY BLOCK

As we celebrate 40 years of cityhood West Hollywood is at a crossroads.

I am a small business owner of BlockParty WeHo and the publisher of WEHOonline. Our community has changed. It’s not safe for my employees anymore. The homeless disrupt our business every single day. Crime has gotten worse and we need action to fix these problems.

My plan is to increase our contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff to 30 million dollars using 25% of our budget surplus. I am endorsed by the Chairman of the West Hollywood Public Safety Commission Adam Eramian, as well as Vice Chair Bill Harrison, and former West Hollywood Captain Ed Rameriz. Keeping WeHo safe is my number one priority.

As a commercial renter, I understand what is necessary to incentivize filling our vacant storefronts. As a business owner, we can see the implications of city council policies on our local businesses. West Hollywood has the highest sales tax and cost of living in the region. Our policies have forced many businesses to close and we must level the playing field. I do not support the removal of parking and reduction of Fountain Avenue to one lane each way. And I do not support the removal of parking on Gardner, Willoughby and Vista. A renter’s rights initiative I pioneered ten years ago was signed into law this year by Governor Newsom.

AB 1620 gives the right to a senior or disabled person to move from an upper floor to a first floor unit with reasonable accommodation. It’s been an honor to serve all of you as a business owner, former Chairman of our Public Facilities Commission and former Chairman of our Disability Advisory Board. Some of you may know me as the person who secured masks for residents during the Covid 19 pandemic. If there’s an emergency again, you can count on me to take action and not wait for county instructions.

I will always fight for us. City hall is broken. Inside dealing has been exposed in multiple whistleblower claims against city hall management. It’s time for new leadership. It’s time to hold them accountable. I’m running to honor our past, fix our present, and create a future where West Hollywood is the beacon of hope that we all dream of. I’d be honored to have your support. www.larryblock4weho.com Call me directly at 310-733-7388

GEORGE NICKLE

Hi, I’m George Nickle. My love of West Hollywood has led me to public service, starting a Neighborhood Watch Group, being an advocate for my neighbors around concerns of development and safety, and serving as a Public Safety Commissioner appointed by Councilmember Lauren Meister. I just want what you want – a safe place to live where residents and businesses can thrive.

West Hollywood is facing serious issues when it comes to Public Safety, Homelessness, and Clean Streets. Current council majority is putting bike lanes, billboards, and their pet-projects before the people who live here. The most sacred duty of any elected official is to ensure the safety of the people they serve. They cannot guarantee that safety, but it is their responsibility to make it their top priority.

As a City Councilmember I will push to hire more sworn deputies and deploy them in our neighborhoods, where Armed Robbery is up year-over-year more than 114%, doing foot and bike patrols. Fire Station 8 must be replaced as the county itself has deemed the building vulnerable to collapse in a major earthquake. As a Councilmember I will work with City staff and county officials to identify a new location and get it built. Despite millions spent on the issue of homelessness our city still has people living on our streets. It is not safe for them, for our residents, or visitors. I support the use of the CARE Court to get those on our streets into the mental health and addiction treatment they need.

The plans to take away parking across the City for bike lanes will exacerbate already congested streets, harm local businesses, take parking away from residents, and increase precious response times for our emergency first responders. I oppose it. And we must protect existing tenets in affordable housing. As your Councilmember I will work to protect existing affordable units and advocate for a one-to-one replacement of all rent stabilized units. My husband Alex and I have called West Hollywood home for almost 20 years.

We rent a duplex on the east side which we share with our senior rescue cats Marie and Sissi. It is where our niece and nephew spent their favorite summer vacations, where Alex and I have had our greatest moments, and where I fell in love with our extraordinary City. I respectfully ask for your vote. To learn more about me, please visit www.nickle4weho.com.

ZEKIAH ‘Z’ WRIGHT

My name is Zekiah “Z” Wright.  I’m running for West Hollywood City Council to ensure our long-term sustainability — economically, socially and environmentally. For nearly four decades, West Hollywood has distinguished itself as an eclectic, affirming and forwardthinking community. I’m running for City Council to continue that legacy while ensuring that our future is built on vision, smart investments and a commitment to implementing interest-based policies that help us meet our challenges and maximize our opportunities. Housing affordability and renter protections must be addressed if we are to remain a diverse, multidimensional and livable city.

We need policies and initiatives that address homelessness and affordable housing in ways that are strategic, sustainable and have benchmarks to measure success. Solving our problems and crafting equitable solutions takes the skills that I have cultivated throughout my life. My civic involvement in West Hollywood and my career as an employment lawyer have informed my perspective about the benefits of focusing on interests rather than positions. As a trained mediator, I understand how to educate rather than agitate and seek cooperation rather than conflict. Navigating our way after the pandemic, has revealed and created new challenges for our businesses.

I am a business owner so I understand these challenges. As our businesses implement higher minimum wages and safety measures, their viability has become uncertain. I believe that our businesses are a vital part of the unique fabric of our City. Their survival is critical and I will continue seeking collaboration and solutions to ensure we have a stronger business community. Having served as a Commissioner in WeHo, I have embraced the opportunity to lead and serve.

This election will be historic. When elected, I will be the first Black, NB member of the West Hollywood City Council. As someone who overcame the prejudice of my southern upbringing, who was the first in my family to pursue an advanced degree and who has spent a lifetime advocating, educating and bringing people together to meet critical needs, I pledge to serve honorably, ethically and transparently. You deserve leaders who believe public service is a calling and will work in the community, with the community and for the community. Thank you for your consideration — and your vote. It would be an honor to represent you. Let’s make WeHo a city that works for everyone. To learn more, go to: www.vote4zwright.com Zekiah N. Wright

WEST SEEGMILLER

My name is William West Seegmiller.

I’m 38 years old and moved to West Hollywood eight years ago, driven by a pursuit of freedom and justice. Coming from a loving family that instilled in me values of faith and integrity, I began my activism as a teenager, working outside partisan divides to build broad coalitions for peace. My journey has led me to roles as a human trafficking survivor advocate, HIV/AIDS researcher, and currently, the supervising producer of a nightly radio news program.

Over the last four years, West Hollywood has faced deep divisions and the lasting impacts of pandemic lockdowns. We’ve witnessed the closure of cherished local businesses, schools, and places of worship, along with a troubling erosion of public safety and increased visible distress on our streets. These developments have left many questioning the direction of our town. I bring 15 years of commitment to bridging political divides, advocating for human trafficking survivors, pushing for legislative reforms, and cultivating grassroots movements to restore dignity and safety for all. A pivotal moment in my advocacy was my involvement in the Ed Buck case.

Exposing Buck’s heinous crimes highlighted the urgent need for reform. Collaborating with activists, we played a crucial role in holding Buck accountable and revealing systemic failures. This battle against corruption solidified my belief in the necessity of independent voices in local governance—voices unbound by partisan constraints.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed issues such as increased surveillance, censorship, and medical segregation. As the founder of the Free WeHo Coalition, I led efforts to challenge these encroachments on our rights. We fought for medical freedom and the right to make informed health decisions, emphasizing the need to uphold constitutional liberties even during crises. Producing a nightly radio news program that links global political agendas to local impacts has sharpened my focus on the practical aspects of local governance. I’m committed to ending political hostility and fostering a culture of respect for diverse opinions, not just diversity of identity.

Running as an independent candidate, I offer a fresh perspective free from partisan constraints. My campaign is dedicated to confronting corruption, protecting freedoms, and ensuring integrity in our local government. Together, we can build a West Hollywood that exemplifies ethical leadership and ensures liberty and justice for all.