The field of candidates for Los Angeles City Council seats is taking shape as Saturday marked the filing deadline for those seeking office in June’s elections. The upcoming races will see changes in Council Districts 3 and 9, as current council members Bob Blumenfield and Curren Price will be termed out at the end of the year.
Competitive Races Emerge
Five candidates have filed to compete for Blumenfield’s seat in the Third Council District, which represents communities in the southwest San Fernando Valley, including Woodland Hills and Canoga Park. Those candidates are Jon Rawlings, Timothy Gaspar, Lehi White, Barri Worth Grivan, and Christopher Robert Celona.
A crowded field of twelve individuals is vying to replace Price in the Ninth Council District, which includes downtown Los Angeles and South L.A. Neighborhoods like Exposition Park and Vermont Square. Price, 75, is currently facing public corruption charges, including allegations of grand theft and perjury, and is scheduled to be arraigned on March 13. He has pleaded not guilty.
Those seeking to represent the Ninth District are Estuardo Mazariegos, Jo Uraizee, Adriana Cabrera, Jorge Nuño, Jose Ugarte, Martha Sánchez, Elmer Roldon, Michelle Washington, Jorge Hernandez Rosas, Chris Martin, Enrique Hernandez-Garcia, and Nathan Juarez.
Incumbents Face Challenges
Several current council members are similarly seeking re-election. Eunisses Hernandez, representing the First Council District, will be challenged by eight candidates, including Maria Lou Calanche and Raul Claros, both of whom have previously held city-related positions.
Katy Yaroslavsky is aiming for a second term in the Fifth Council District, facing challenges from Dory Frank, Ashkan “Alex” Nazarian, Peter Gerard Kearns, Eddie Ha, Henry Mantel, and Morgan Oyler. Monica Rodriguez is seeking a third and final term in the Seventh Council District, with challengers Tony Rodriguez, Michael Daniel Ebenkamp, Ernesto Ayala, and Daniel Lerma.
Traci Park, representing the 11th Council District, is also running for re-election and will be challenged by Faizah Malik and Jeremy Wineberg. Hugo Soto-Martínez, representing the 13th District, faces challenges from Gilbert Vitela, Rich Sarian, Dylan Kendal, Colter Carlisle, Sebastian Davis, Kristen Suszek, and Gregory Downer. Tim McOsker, representing the 15th District, is being challenged by Jordan Rivers and Phillip Crouch.
Next Steps for Candidates
All potential candidates must now gather 500 voter signatures and file a nomination petition by March 4 to secure their place on the ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which City Council districts will have new representatives in 2025?
Council Districts 3 and 9 will have new representatives, as Bob Blumenfield and Curren Price will be termed out at the end of the year.
What charges is Councilman Curren Price facing?
Councilman Price is facing public corruption charges, including allegations of grand theft by embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest and perjury.
How many candidates have filed to run for the Ninth Council District seat?
Twelve individuals have filed to run for the Ninth Council District seat.
As the candidate filing period closes, Los Angeles voters will soon have a range of choices to consider as they prepare to elect their next City Council representatives.
