Former West Hollywood Mayor John Duran has vacated his position on WeHo PAC, the WeHo Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee, the chamber confirmed Friday.
Duran, the PAC’s current chair, served alongside Dianne Abbitt, a longtime West Hollywood community partner, Jay Handel, owner at the Woods Cannabis Dispensary, David Wood, the current chair of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Nick Rimedio, a former chair of the Chamber of Commerce and former City Council candidate and Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adolphson. Abbitt — Duran’s friend of many years — has stepped up to fill the role of chair for the PAC.
Duran’s exit follows his public disclosure to the PAC of his past sexual relationships with two potential candidates in the West Hollywood City Council election this November — Jordan Cockeram and West Seegmiller.
The purpose of the PAC is to engage in activities and funding to support or oppose candidates within the State of California and especially the County of Los Angeles and City of West Hollywood, consistent with the stated goals and objectives of its sponsor, the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
To date, the PAC has not yet endorsed any candidates in the 2024 City Council race. However, Duran was allegedly lobbying for Cockeram and assisting with his campaign behind the scenes.
George Nickle, another candidate in the race, was recently photographed at a photo shoot directed by George Urch, a consultant with ties to Duran and the PAC. As such, Urch is prohibited from coordinating with any candidates or revealing any other candidate information.
The chamber confirmed Urch was hired to do polling and interviews for the PAC but has now completed his contract.
Personal issues aside, it was inappropriate for Duran to be involved in the PAC while actively campaigning for a candidate. I assumed he would have recused himself from the candidate interviews, but at least everyone stayed focused on the issues that affect our City. This is a small win for transparency in our local elections.
Can we stop seeing his face here every five seconds now? Please.
Is there any person left in west hollywood that John Duran hasn’t tainted or exchanged bodily fluids with??? So gross.
Is there any dude left in WeHo this guy hasn’t shtupped? And why do so many young dudes sleep with an old, not-so-attractive guy?
Wow no personal attacks but mentioning people’s sexual partners is trash and repetitive
I won’t be resuscribing
my thought exactly
This guy has no shame at all.
Fortunately Diane Abbit brings decades of experience and political leadership to the table. She was a pillar for MECLA and ANGLE and a number of other LGBTQ etc political organizations and an advisor to a host of political figures. The Chamber PAC seems to have learned a bit from their dueling slates from the last election cycle. West Hollywood’s business community cannot afford to be further marginalized.
John Duran is to West Hollywood as Donald Trump is to America. A dirty sexual predator who put their own interests above the interests of the community.
When will this city put serious people in positions of power. How many times can this guy get busted being inappropriate?
There’s an election coming up. Advocate for the one(s) who fit the bill.
It is clear that John Duran puts his personal interests over the interests of the city and won’t let go.
Duran seems to be a serial resignee, resigned from gay mens chorus, resigned form mayor, let’s put it another way, he was asked to leave.
When the right people have NEW Specific Ideas no more “make Weho safer” or “bike lanes and more pools to hit” will save lives of give bikers a quicker exit from vandalism and stealing from 7/11. “ make everybody understand criticism, racism, and antisemitism, right that’s in the family genes. Hello small business Easy Make one way street’s like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and DTLA. It worked in 1980’ Olympic Tenants rights advocates not tell me specially Call the post office for duplex Mail boxes Call Sheriff for landlord fraud Call the county for mold/fungus, rats and termites Ficus trees… Read more »
Sex is never a problem UNLESS it interferes with your work, your job, your relationships or your finances. Having to step down from 2 different organizations + losing your city council election following sex scandals at each means Duran’s relationship to sex is problematic at best. He’s done some remarkable things for the LGBTQ community and the city of West Hollywood but for someone who also boasts of years of sobriety needs to take another look in the mirror, as substances aren’t the only things people are addicted to. Don’t become a public figure or run for public office if… Read more »
I agree, but most people here won’t get it.