A competitive field of candidates are jockeying to claim the open 30th District Congressional seat while its incumbent Rep. Adam Schiff runs for U.S. Senate.
The seat is highly sought after both for its firm Democratic base that makes it easy to hold onto and for its wealthy constituency, including many entertainment industry leaders, that makes it easy to get headlines and fundraise.
The district is comprised of about 55% registered Democrats and 16% percent registered Republicans, according to the California Secretary of State. It represents the communities of Hollywood, West Hollywood, Hancock Park, Burbank, Glendale, Sunland and Tujunga.
Schiff held onto the seat for 23 years and used it to create a name for himself on the national stage. Now he is using it as a springboard for a U.S. Senate campaign — a race that he handily leads.
His departure creates a regional power vacuum that many ambitious politicians are seeking to fill. It includes a mix of current and former state legislators, mayors, attorneys, policy experts and Hollywood industry players.
Four of the candidates reported raising more than $1 million by the end of 2023.
They include state Senator Anthony Portantino with $1.4 million, actor Ben Savage with $1.37 million, LAUSD School Boardmember Nick Melvoin with $1.28 million and former L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer with $1.27 million. State Assemblymember Laura Friedman followed closely behind with $931,000.
The two top vote-getters in the March 5 primary will advance to a runoff in November, and with a field of candidates this qualified and crowded the race is anyone’s game. Ballots have been mailed out to registered voters and early voting begins on Feb. 24.
Here are all the candidates running for the 30th District:
Anthony Portantino (D): Portantino is the state senator for California’s 25th Senate District. Portantino hails from New Jersey and came to Los Angeles to work in film and TV production. His political career began on the La Cañada Flintridge City Council in 1999, where he served until 2006 when he was elected to represent California’s 44th Assembly District.
His political priorities include public education, mental health, sensible gun control, sustainability, transportation and keeping entertainment jobs in California, according to his campaign website. He has been endorsed by California state Attorney General Rob Bonta, the LA. County Federation of Labor and the California Federation of Teachers, among others.
Mike Feuer (D): Mike Feuer is the former Los Angeles City Attorney. Before that, he served three terms in the state Assembly, representing the 42nd Assembly District, and as a member of the Los Angeles City Council from 1995 to 2001, representing the 5th Council District. Before launching his political career he was the executive director of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a nonprofit organization providing free legal services in Los Angeles.
His political priorities include gun safety, affordable housing, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive rights and safeguarding democracy, according to his campaign website. He has been endorsed by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, L.A County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Oxnard), among others.
Nick Melvoin (D): Nick Melvoin is a member of the LAUSD Board of Education. He began his career as a public school English teacher in Watts. After being laid off from his classroom role he helped lead a lawsuit with the ACLU, which argued that LAUSD’s seniority-based layoffs violated the rights of students. He went on to become an attorney and civil rights advocate.
His political priorities include homelessness, education, infrastructure, climate change, gun safety, reproductive rights and antisemitism, according to his campaign website.
Laura Friedman (D): Laura Friedman is an Assemblymember representing the 44th District. Prior to her election to the state Assembly in 2016, she was a member of the Glendale City Council from 2009 to 2016 and served as mayor from 2011 to 2012. She was born in Florida and moved to Hollywood after graduating college, and had a successful career as a film producer.
Her political priorities include healthcare, the environment, transportation, housing, workers rights and LGBTQIA+ rights, according to her campaign website. She has been endorsed by Abundant Housing Los Angeles and Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, among others.
Ben Savage (D): Ben Savage is an actor and director known for playing Cory Matthews in the sitcom “Boy Meets World”. He has been a member of the SAG-AFTRA Union since 1987, when he was five years old, and of the Directors Guild of America since 2014. He continues to work in the entertainment industry and in philanthropy.
His priorities include homelessness, community safety, affordable housing, workers rights, education and healthcare, according to his campaign website. He has been endorsed by writer/producers Steve Jarczak, Andrew Orenstein and Justin Baxter, among others.
Sepi Shyne (D): Sepi Shyne is the current mayor of West Hollywood and has served on the West Hollywood City Council since 2020. She moved to the U.S. at age five when her family fled the Islamist regime in Iran. She runs a law practice specializing in business and intellectual property law and is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Her priorities include mental health and healthcare, housing and homelessness, workers rights, education, climate change and immigration, according to her campaign website.
G “Maebe” Pudlo (D): G “Maebe” Pudlo is a member of the elected Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, a drag queen and transgender activist. She is the co-founder of the LGBTQ+ Alliance of Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils, which is recognized as the first city-backed initiative for the LGBTQ+ Community in Los Angeles.
Her priorities include a ceasefire in Gaza, LGBTQ+ rights, affordable housing, abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), racial justice, reproductive rights and universal healthcare, according to her campaign website.
Alex Balekian (R): Alex Balekian is an intensive care unit physician born and raised in Glendale. He served on the frontlines of COVID-19, an experience that taught him the value of resilience, adaptability, and selfless service, according to his campaign website. He has been outspoken on the issue of parental rights and the manner in which LGBTQ+ identities are taught in public schools.
His priorities include education, climate change, healthcare, homelessness, border security, reproductive rights and affordable housing, according to his campaign website. He has been endorsed by the California Republican Party, Guns LA and California Parents United.
Steve Dunwoody (D): Steve Dunwoody is the director of government affairs at Climate Nexus, an environmental advocacy group. He is a 6th generation veteran and served in Iraq as a member of the Air National Guard. After his return to the states and graduation from university, he joined the 2008 Barack Obama presidential campaign and worked in the U.S. Department of Energy during Obama’s first administration. He has taught courses in political science at UCLA and UC Berkeley.
His priorities include gun safety, supporting working families, climate change, affordable housing, public safety, transportation, healthcare and LGBTQ+ rights.
Francesco Arreaga (D): Francesco Arreaga is a legislative advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives where he as helped write legislation to address gun violence and climate change. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and is an attorney with a specialization in international law.
His priorities include supporting workers, climate change, reproductive rights, homelessness, immigration reform, racial justice, according to his campaign website.
Jirair Ratevosian (D): Jirair Ratevosian serves as a senior advisor for health equity policy in the U.S. Department of State. He has previously served on the governing council for the American Public Health Association and as the former legislative director for Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
His priorities include healthcare, education, public safety, immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ rights, affordable housing and workers rights, according to his campaign website.
Courtney Simone Najera (D): Courtney Simone Najera is a UCLA student and former esthetician. According to her campaign website, her interest in running for congress stems from her experiences growing up with a single mother who suffered a near-fatal traffic incident that left her burdened with impossible-to-pay medical bills.
Her priorities include healthcare for all, affordable housing, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, reproductive justice and economic justice for the working class.
Josh Bocanegra (Independent): Josh Bocanegra is an entrepreneur who founded Persona, an agency that creates AI experiences for clients. He has also worked at a med-tech start-up that researches robotics, AI and nanotechnology.
His priorities include education, regulating AI, affordable housing, transportation, sustainability, gun safety and reproductive freedom, according to his campaign website.
Sal Genovese (D): Sal Genovese is the chairman of the Kingsley Drive Association, working to develop neighborhood solutions to crime, littering and homelessness. He is a veteran and has worked in alcohol and drug abuse treatment, education, healthcare, business and community organizing.
His priorities include affordable housing, healthcare, public safety, education, immigration and supporting the working class, according to his campaign website.
Emilio Martinez (R): Emilio Martinez is a producer, writer and comedian. He has written TV movies including “Burning Little Lies” and “In God’s Time.” His campaign website is titled “American Resurrection” and bills him as “the only conservative Republican (and Christian)” in this race.”
