State Senator, District 24

John Erickson is the West Hollywood city councilmember and a former mayor. Before local office he worked at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and at the Alliance for a Better Community. As a councilmember he helped pass one of the highest minimum wages in the county. He also helped cap yearly rent increases at three percent. Santa Monica later copied that rent cap.

In May 2026 the West Hollywood council debated a local housing plan tied to a new state law. Erickson argued the city's rules already covered it. He told residents comparing the debate to redlining to stop using what he called racist tropes. The council did not vote that night. The issue moved to a later meeting. He says he is running because the state lets special interests come before families.

Erickson promises to expand renter protections across the state. He wants more school funding per student and faster disaster recovery help for fire hit areas. He says he wants cheaper health care and insurance. He also wants to expand local homelessness programs statewide.

Brian Goldsmith grew up in West Los Angeles. He has never held elected office. He worked as a political journalist covering presidential campaigns. He produced Katie Couric's interview with Sarah Palin. He later co-founded investment and crowdfunding firms in tech. He is now a media consultant. He is raising two children in the district with his wife, a teacher.

He says running for the Senate was not something he had planned. He says recent wildfires and rising costs changed his mind. He believes Sacramento needs different leaders. He has never held office, so there is no voting record or lawsuit to weigh. Voters have only his career and campaign platform to judge.

Goldsmith promises to make California more affordable for families and small businesses. He wants faster recovery help for fire hit communities. He wants better results in early reading and math. He also backs a bigger film and TV tax credit to keep jobs in the state.