A significant era of leadership is set to begin at the West Hollywood Swearing-In Ceremony this coming Monday, Jan. 12, as John Heilman and Danny Hang take their oaths of office.
The ceremony, kicks off at 6 p.m. and marks the annual reorganization of the City Council, a moment that’s going to carry some significant history this year as the city transitions into a new political era.
The installation takes place in the Council Chambers at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. Following the formal swearing-in, the City is inviting everyone to a public reception at the West Hollywood Library to celebrate the new leadership team.
A Full-Circle Moment for a Founding Father
For John Heilman, returning to the role of Mayor is a homecoming in more ways than one. As a key figure in West Hollywood’s 1984 incorporation and one of the longest-serving openly gay elected officials in the country, Heilman has seen the city through every major milestone over the last four decades.
However, this term carries a unique weight. As we’ve noted in our previous coverage of John Heilman’s selection as Mayor, this marks a major transitional period. With term limits on the horizon, Lauren Meister and John Heilman are beginning their final year in office, making this mayoral run a definitive closing chapter for a founding member of the city’s governing body.
New Energy on the Dais
While Heilman represents the city’s roots, incoming Vice Mayor Danny Hang represents its future for some. Hang, the son of Chinese-Vietnamese refugees and a career social worker, has quickly become a fresh voice since his victory in the 2024 election.
The pairing of Heilman’s decades of institutional knowledge with Hang’s perspective as a relative newcomer will make for an interesting dynamic. The two will be tasked with navigating the city through a high-stakes election cycle while also addressing challenges from housing to public safety, including the hot button issue of the Fountain redesign.
Logistics and Viewing Information
If you’re planning to attend the ceremony in person, the City is providing limited validated parking at the West Hollywood Park five-story structure.
For those who prefer to watch from the comfort of home, there are several ways to tune in live:
Online: Stream via WeHoTV on the City website or the WeHoTV YouTube channel.
TV: Channel 10 on Spectrum for West Hollywood residents.
Streaming Apps: Search for “WeHoTV” on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, or Roku.
For a deeper dive into their backgrounds, you can read John Heilman’s official bio and Danny Hang’s official bio on the City’s website.
You think DH will read something?
Whatever Erickson tells him to say.
Danny Hang will bring new energy?
Yes! He will back down every time John Erickson waggles his finger and says no no no, because he is petrified of angering his benefactor!
He will fight for Unite Here and their slimy union, and for Streets For All… anyone who will contribute money for his “rapid ascension!”
And he will work tirelessly to perfect his prepared speeches that he will deliver at city Council meeting so that he doesn’t sound like an idiot and so that the people who paid for him will be happy!
YEP! That takes a lot of energy!
At least Danny Hang has never asked the City to provide him with body guards.
Yes, Danny Hang brings a new energy. Unfortunately its a bad energy. John D’Amico is two for two in weho, giving us Danny Hang and Richard Maggio. That’s some record. When his terms are up in weho, hopefully Unite Here will get Danny a job making beds for around $100 an hour. No wonder so much of the city is crime infested and boarded up. Danny Hang will work very hard for the out of town maids perfecting their hospital corners in our $700 a night hotels. I suspect he thinks owning private property is racist, and I suspect he… Read more »
Hang’s rapid ascent is attributable to only the infusion of cash from Unite Here labor union to whose interests he is now accountable. He offers no fresh perspective on anything. He, Byers, Erickson, Shyne, and Horvath are the death knell of what West Hollywood used to be and could have been. They serve only their own interests and those of their benefactor, Unite Here.
YUP. Spot on.