Vice Mayor Danny Hang didn’t use his swearing-in remarks Monday night to roll out a policy agenda. Instead, he talked about who he is, why West Hollywood feels like home, and what seemed like the tone he wants to set for his term.
“I’m really grateful to my colleagues for this honor,” Hang said, adding he was “truly humbled” to serve as Vice Mayor “of the city that I call home.”
Former Councilmember and Mayor John D’Amico administered the oath. D’Amico is widely credited with helping bring Hang into City Hall life and backing his campaign, which is likely why he was tapped for the honor.
Hang is the first AAPI person elected to the West Hollywood City Council. He framed the moment as personal and rooted in family, crediting his parents for shaping his sense of service. “My dad was a union worker who showed me why standing up for working people matters,” Hang said. “My mom worked in a small business and taught me what it means to care for others and keep a community going.” He shared this while noting he is the first AAPI person elected to the West Hollywood City Council. For more on his backstory, here’s our earlier profile: What WeHo’s Newest Councilmember Has In Mind.
A City That “Can Show Up For People”
He talked about how “local government can show up for people.” It can be “personal, compassionate, and bold at the same time,” he said, describing West Hollywood as the place where he found community and where he learned government doesn’t have to be far away to be effective.
He also thanked outgoing Mayor Chelsea Byers for what he called “steady leadership” through a difficult year, including wildfires and the stress many residents and workers felt around recent federal immigration enforcement actions. Byers, Hang said, navigated the uncertainty “with courage and warmth.”
Working With Mayor Heilman And City Manager Jackie Rocco
Hang said he is honored to serve as Vice Mayor under Heilman, calling him a city founder and a leader who has spent decades standing up for equality and local voices. He also congratulated Jackie Rocco as the new City Manager and told her he’s excited to work together “as we move the city forward.” WEHOonline previewed the leadership change ahead of the reorganization meeting here: West Hollywood Swearing-In Ceremony: John Heilman and Danny Hang to Lead.
A Shout-Out To Staff And The People Who Keep The City Moving
The Vice Mayor seemed to dedicate a lot of sentiment to acknowledging the work of City staff. “Through your hard work, you make everything look effortless,” he said, “almost like magic.” He added, “Our city truly doesn’t run without you.”
He wrapped by thanking residents, workers, and small business owners, calling them “the heart of this city.”
What Business Owners Will Be Watching
While Hang’s speech didn’t offer much by way of specifics, small business owners will be watching what he does, not just what he says. That’s especially true in the Rainbow District, where business owners are desperately looking for support from the City and its leaders, and where enforcement decisions can affect business operations in meaningful ways.
And yes, that includes the hot dog vendor issue that has been bouncing around City Hall. Hang is already tied to it by name. WEHOonline has covered his proposal and the fact that it was pulled back from the agenda in late 2025, including the concerns raised about illegal vendors crowding sidewalks and selling alcohol outside nightlife areas: Hang Yanks His Hot Dog Bill.
If the item returns, it’ll be a tell on how he wants to govern in practice, balancing public space, enforcement, and supporting small business owners.
Will Hang Be A Swing Vote
Is he going to be a rubber stamp for Byers and Erickson? Too soon to tell. Hang is still new. What you can take from his speech is his commitment to service first, respect for City staff, and an appreciation for both labor and small business, as it’s literally his family story.
THE WEED CLINICS
HAVE BEEN A MAGNET FOR CRIMINALS – THX JEFFREY PRANG
He is a rubber stamp. He’s always by Erickson’s side. He has no clue what he’s doing other than posing with his boy-like smile in every photo he’s in. John D’Amico promoted this guy and has singlehandedly caused the destruction of our fine city, all because he knew he would not be reelected. It’s a miracle, mainly thanks to D’Amico and his Unite Here partners, that Hang was elected. I wouldn’t be surprised if D’Amico gets a job from Unite Here, just like Erickson got his current job through them. The one thing Hang can do to gain some of… Read more »
Hate to say it, you are 💯% correct on all points, only hoping to be proven wrong! Get our city back on track, borrow from yesterday of what made it such a great city, don’t destroy all that makes it special.
Hang, Erickson, and D’Amico have been a horrible combination for WeHo.
An endless parade of silly people.
Hang will be the third vote in my opinion.
Hang could make a real difference here in West Hollywood, but he will have to decide what is important, developer cash and United Here rubber stamping and kick backs or really working for what he believes in, standing up for the workers, merchants and residents (a la his Dad’s belief’s) including standing up to the illegal hot dog and booze carts, John Erickson and those that don’t align with his beliefs. Hang will need to learn that caving to city council bullying and personal agendas isn’t compromise, it’s weakness and it leaves residents, merchants and workers out in the cold.
I agree we should not judge Hang too quickly. His comments were thoughtful and rather humble compared to some of the speeches given during these Mayoral installations. Maybe he has a better sense of who he is. Ordinary people can make great City Council members and public servants. It is only in West Hollywood do we encourage cults of personality for our elected officials.
So far, rubber stamp. Bring back the hot dog bill if he wants to show up.
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Hang is always short on specifics. He speaks in generalities that are presented for him as prepared remarks. Barely an intelligible, coherent, or original thought and completely void of critical thinking, and that’s when he can manage to keep on the right agenda item! Replace him with a true and literal rubber stamp of what Unite Here and Erickson want of him, like yanking the hot dog bill and rolling over like an obedient puppy. His identity tales of woe have an expiration date that has long passed.