UPDATED 🎬 Let’s review the 2024 campaign commercials

The candidates hoping to be your Congressman, Senator and District Attorney in the primary election next month are hitting the home stretch by getting in front of the camera — and WEHOonline is sizing up the good and the bad of the candidates’ campaign videos. This article will be updated as more videos are released. 

Thrilled to unveil our new ad, “First in the Nation,” narrated by Mayor @KarenBassLA! I’ve always pursued bold solutions to our greatest challenges. I’ll do the same in Congress. #CA30
Watch: https://t.co/tIF5fxrFsi pic.twitter.com/hz1DcbRgJF

— Mike Feuer (@Mike_Feuer) February 1, 2024

In this deft piece of campaign filmmaking, Mike Feuer lets L.A. Mayor Karen Bass sing his praises, and her endorsement seems special and genuine. Smart move casting a troop of children to let Feuer show his endearing side. 

I’m running for Congress because I believe it’s time for a new generation of leadership to get stuff done. #CA30 pic.twitter.com/1NDFf2yxr3

— Nick Melvoin (@nickmelvoin) February 1, 2024

While it doesn’t name names, Nick Melvoin’s ad is a smart jab against the establishment candidates he’s running against. Unlike many of his challengers, Melvoin speaks directly to viewers in this ad, and his screen presence is quirky and cute. Bravo for daring to use a phrase that’s utterly reviled in progressive circles:  “work across the aisle.”

Jirair Ratevosian’s ad bounces along like a good movie trailer, complete with a ’80s theme song, bringing a little bit fun and energy to the race. His front-and-center support of President Biden is on full display but whether that will win him votes is an another matter.
 

Honored to share our campaigns next digital ad. Thank you @TiffanyShepis @mia_tretta for your trust & all you do to stem gun violence @Brady_PAC @MomsDemand @GIFFORDS_org @EAPDLA @stonewallvoice @KonstantineinCA @Bessin_Burbank pic.twitter.com/BnGW4jrNNz

— Anthony Portantino (@Portantino) February 6, 2024

Anthony Portantino’s testimonial video does a good job of reminding voters about his commendable work as an anti-gun violence legislator. Hopefully we get to hear more from his own mouth next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Maebe A. Girl (@maebeagirl)

Maebe A. Girl gives us an intimate look behind the scenes as she removes her makeup after a long day on the campaign trail. It’s a smart move that highlights her unique status as a drag performer and transgender candidate while pushing viewers to look past it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sepi Shyne (@sepishyne)

Sepi Shyne’s spot gives us a sanguine mix of Hallmark platitudes that play on her name, sweeping drone shots and a backstory that WeHo has heard many times before. The ingredients seem right but what comes out of the oven is lacking inspiration. 

You might know Laura Friedman as a calm, polite, environmentally minded progressive legislator. But she’s also a badass pool shark who’s ready to compete with the best. This genius clip adds a whole new dimension and level of cool to the candidate, and it smoothly links the billiard theme to Friedman’s “I’ll be a fighter” message. Bold moves like this, along with the coveted Los Angeles Times endorsement she just received, might give her campaign the surge it needs to make the runoff.

California deserves a Senator who will put our interests first — to build housing, fight climate change, and lower costs — not someone who spent decades delivering for corporate donors.

I’m proud to be the only elected official in this race who’s never taken corporate PAC money. pic.twitter.com/nS3FRGTqAW

— Katie Porter (@katieporteroc) January 31, 2024

Katie Porter’s strident voice fills this clip end to end, and it’s effective if heavy handed. The “I don’t take corporate money” pitch seems dated even if it remains relevant. 

Rather than toot his own horn, Adam Schiff lets his longtime “Little Brother” mentee David Millan sing his praises. It’s an affectionate if slightly odd tribute that inspires some curiosity. The clip includes somewhat rare shots of Schiff’s wife, who doesn’t receive much publicity. 

Eric Siddall looks utterly A-list in this epic video, which portrays him as the action hero L.A. needs if it hopes to survive. The clip starts out with a single stunning shot attacking incumbent George Gascon; the rest of the spot is Siddall promising to “turn the tide on violent crime” while looking sexy AF. High production values and hotness don’t win races, but they don’t hurt either. “The residents of Los Angeles County deserve change,” he purrs. “As District Attorney, I will deliver it.” Woof.