With each new election season, streaming video plays a larger and larger role in the strategy of modern political campaigns. Even a race for Council of city only 1.9 miles wide requires candidates who are ready and willing to become public figures and, crucially, to star in their own self-produced reality shows. While most of the 12 candidates for WeHo City Council haven’t dipped their toes into video production for their campaigns just yet, these four dove head first into the game — with wildly different results.
THE STAR VEHICLE
Sarah Adolphson’s X factor is on full display here. She connects naturally with the camera, and her voice is sincere and full of optimism. Beautiful slow-motion shots of WeHo and its residents burnish a message that is simple and to the point.
BEST LINE: “A safer, cleaner, kinder WeHo,” also her campaign slogan
TOPICS TOUCHED ON: Public service, civic pride, public safety
THE INDIE FRONTRUNNER
Zekiah Wright sets the bar high with this standout video, shot in a dreamy documentary style, which showcases their warm, down-to-earth qualities marvelously. Watch for cameos by Wright’s real life partner, Public Safety Commissioner Jackie Steele.
TOPICS TOUCHED ON: Racism, homophobia, environment, housing, public safety
MOST MEMORABLE LINE: “Democracy is not a spectator sport.”
THE FEEL-GOOD SLEEPER
Of all the videos here, Chelsea Byers’ is the most modern and most real. She films herself knocking on doors, canvassing for her campaign while providing a light-spirited and unpretentious running commentary. In a slicker video with higher production values, she might have come across as a know-it-all, but with this no-frills, off-the-cuff approach, she just sounds smart and endearing.
BEST LINE: “I just had an 84-year-old woman tell me I look better in my photo.”
THE PRESTIGE PICTURE
Perhaps more than any other candidate, Jordan Cockeram is taking his first run for public office seriously — it’s an epic chapter in his life. This video gives Cockeram a proper stage where he can wax poetic, and the sweeping drone shots and urgent music lend a lot of gravitas to what he’s saying.
TOPICS TOUCHED ON: Refunding the sheriff, social services, rebuilding city’s relationship with the business community, rent control, budget control
MOST MEMORABLE LINE: “I’m running because improving the lives of my neighbors and making them happy, makes me happy.”
THE TEASER TRAILER
At 15 seconds long, Robert Oliver’s video is about half as long as the others here — not much room for much creative flair. Oliver shows off endorsements from the L.A. County Democratic Party, the Sierra Club and the Stonewall Young Democrats — but curiously NOT the endorsement of his biggest backer, the UNITE HERE Local 11 labor union. Oliver’s movie-star looks carry the day here.
MOST MEMORABLE LINE: None
TOPICS TOUCHED ON: Crime, homelessness, housing
Returning public safety to pre-pandemic levels is the number one issue in West Hollywood. Followed closely by the homeless crisis. That’s why I’m voting Meister, Martin and Duran. Cockeram makes an impressive debut and I hope he stays locally focused; he’ll be needed the next go round in two years when we remove Shyne and Erickson from the council.
As a self professed skilled marketer, this is a very poor example of a video starting with the opening shot. Sorry Sarah, a nothing burger. Please perfect your day job and leave West Hollywood to folks with actual skills.
Uh, she’s running for city council not applying for a video editing job.
This is great. Nice job, people.
I like listening to Zekiah. I am stuck for a third candidate.
Zekiah is in her rightful place on Rent Stabilization Commission.
Her or they?
seems like the Jordan kid is trying a little too hard. This is the first time he’s gotten involved in the community and in WeHo. Also, he has an arrest record… wish he would address that!
For all these aggrieved political upstarts that look for Justice or behavior of their approval but never consider invading a somewhat progressive and peaceful city. It’s quite similar to Putin thinking he could disrupt Ukraine🙄🙄🙄🙄
Just in time for Halloween.
No costumes required.
These folks are scary enough!
They can join up with two sitting ghouls, Erickson with his freshly done nails and hair along with the seriously spooky Sepi Shyne. The wicked witch will melt away resulting from her own lies and fantasies.
Ok, so I clicked on all of these videos. I could not sit all the way through the boring Zekiah Wright & Chelsea Byers as both of them lost my attention & interest quickly. However…..that Jordon Cockeran (and I am sure he got teased with THAT last name as a child!) held my attention and the more he spoke….the more I listened & the more I listened, the more he had my attention! His video was very well thought out, excellent presentation, & great editing. Jordon really resonates with what the city needs as a representative. Where’s the rest of… Read more »
This is truly embarrassing to see the lack of seriousity involved. Do remember my peers in college being more experienced and thoughtful. These folks all might be well advised take up an actual hobby or sport, to be involved with life as we formerly knew it. Flying in to remake West Hollywood in their awkward, inexperienced minds is a really poor ambition.
Individually and collectively they seem anxious to fix the lifestyle of others because they are so maladjusted themselves.
Good one
I’m voting for Ben, Chelsea and Robert! Anybody other than Cockeram. He’s as fake as they come!
1) Plan — all of his “plans” are carbon copies of other officials in others cities
2) Purpose — what is his purpose in running for office? All I see is his “platform” being used to set up monkeypox vax clinics
3) People — any event he hosts, demographic he targets or agenda change only includes young, WHITE gays. Never women, minorities or other groups. If you’re running for office, you’re running for the PEOPLE. All of them.
Funny! I take it you are joking about your choice of candidates.
Maybe you should watch the videos before doing anything drastic.
Oh…so you are racist against whites and homophobic against gays. Good to know who the racist homophobic progressives are attracted too. Won’t be voting for Ben, Chelsea, or Robert. I stand against hate.
Dear Editor. Please note: “The City encompasses 1.9 square miles of land area, with a maximum east-west length of approximately 2.9 miles at the extent of its pan-handle shape.”
Not: “city only 1.9 miles wide,”
ZW: A word salad of activist-speak. Keep the activists out of City Hall. They’ll do better from the outside and so will we.
CB: Handing out flyers, is that all she got to say? Cheapest, cheesiest, self absorbed…..and the 84 year old comment should be offensive to everyone over 12.
RO: Yep, 15 seconds is all he can come up with.
JC: Good attempt. But going from zero civic engagement to council member is a hard pill to swallow.
Agreed, it would add that I was wondering how JC had access to the helicopter for those opening shots, until the closing one, where his Clark Kent pose made me realize he just filmed them when he was flying around wearing his superhero cape.
Thank you Brandon for watching so we don’t have to! 😂 Seriously tho you are a community gem