Los Angeles's 12th City Council district

{{Infobox United States legislative district

| state = Los Angeles

| district = 12

| chamber = City Council

| image = Los Angeles City Council District 12.svg

| representative = John Lee

| party = Independent

| residence = Porter Ranch

| population = 262,032

| population_year = 2020

| registered = 161,523

| registered_year = 2017

| Democratic = 44

| Republican = 24

| NPP = 32

| percent_white = 47.7

| percent_asian = 16.4

| percent_hispanic = 28.1

| percent_black = 4.3

| percent_other_race = 0.5

| website = {{URL|https://cd12.lacity.gov/}}

}}

Los Angeles's 12th City Council district is one of the fifteen districts in the Los Angeles City Council. It is currently represented by Independent John Lee since 2019 after he was elected to finish Mitchell Englander's term. Lee is the only Independent on the nonpartisan City Council, previously being a Republican much like his predecessors.{{cite web|url=https://sundial.csun.edu/156611/news/john-lee-wants-to-finish-what-he-started/|title=John Lee wants to finish what he started|date=March 3, 2020|author=Bozzi, Sloane|website=The Sundial}}

The district was created in 1925 after a new city charter was passed, which replaced the former "at large" voting system for a nine-member council with a district system with a 15-member council. At the time of creation, it was situated in Downtown Los Angeles before being moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1964. Within recent years up until 2020, the seat was held by Republicans and was considered a Republican stronghold within a Democratic city.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2019/07/26/san-fernando-valleys-city-council-district-12-candidates-vying-for-key-office-amid-a-wave-of-change-could-not-be-more-different/|title=San Fernando Valley's City Council District 12 candidates, vying for key office amid a wave of change, could not be more different|date=July 26, 2019|author=Grigoryants, Olga|website=Los Angeles Daily News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-08-12/city-council-election-los-angeles-lee-lundquist-valley|title=Republican John Lee claims victory in Valley council race|date=August 14, 2019|website=Los Angeles Times|author=Reyes, Emily Alpert; McDaniel, Piper}} It is the second largest district behind the 11th district.

Geography

The district covers the northwestern San Fernando Valley communities of Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Northridge, Porter Ranch, West Hills, North Hills, and Reseda.{{cite web|url=https://laist.com/news/politics/los-angeles-city-council-guide-elections-councilmember-2023|title=LA City Council In 2023: Your Guide To Who's Who (And What They Do)|author=Hernández, Caitlin|date=November 18, 2022|website=LAist}}

The district is completely within California's 32nd congressional district, California's 27th State Senate district, and overlaps California's 38th and 45th State Assembly districts.

= Historical boundaries =

From 1925 to 1964 the district occupied the same general area in northwest Downtown Los Angeles, Bunker Hill, and Westlake, with a district office at 1209 Huntley Drive.[https://www.proquest.com/docview/161847961 "To the Citizens of Los Angeles," Los Angeles Times, February 14, 1926, page B-5] Between 1928 and 1954, the boundaries expanded the district.[https://www.proquest.com/docview/162132736 "Council Areas' Lines Changed," Los Angeles Times, December 29, 1928, page A-1][https://www.proquest.com/docview/163109975 "District Lines Get Approval," Los Angeles Times, December 24, 1932, page 2][https://www.proquest.com/docview/163102835 "City Reapportionment Measure Gets Approval," Los Angeles Times, January 19, 1933] With map of all districts.[https://www.proquest.com/docview/163326627 "Do You Know Who Your City Councilman Is?" Los Angeles Times, March 24, 1935, page 22] Includes a map.[https://www.proquest.com/docview/165123125 "Proposed New Alignment for City Voting Precincts," Los Angeles Times, November 30, 1940, page A-3] Includes a map. In 1954, it was now Downtown, between Figueroa and Catalina streets.[http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/05/515594.pdf "6 Councilmen to Run; Mrs Davenport to Quit," Los Angeles Examiner, December 14, 1954, section 3, page 2, in Los Angeles Public Library reference file] In 1955, it bordered Venice Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Figueroa Street.[https://www.proquest.com/docview/166760849 "Unusual Setup for Council's Contests," Los Angeles Times, April 3, 1955, page B-3]

In 1964, the council had discussed moving the 12th district to the northwest San Fernando Valley which had grown in population over the years, and incumbent John P. Cassidy agreed to do so, saying he would relocate to the area.[https://www.proquest.com/hnplatimes/docview/154962617/1328535426B4C4140F/20 Erwin Baker, "Councilman Cassidy Will Move to the Valley," Los Angeles Times, July 11, 1964, page 17] At the time, the area included Granada Hills, Northridge, Chatsworth, Panorama City, and the northern half of Canoga Park and had a population of about 190,000.[https://www.proquest.com/docview/154963738 Jack McCurdy, "New Council Districting Voted 14-0," Los Angeles Times, July 16, 1964, page A-1]

List of members representing the district

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Councilmember !Party !Dates !Electoral history
colspan="4" \| District established July 1, 1925.
align=left \| 100px A. J. Barnes {{small\|(Westlake)}} \| {{Party shading/Progressive}}\|Progressive \| nowrap \| July 1, 1925 – June 30, 1927 \|Elected in 1925. Lost re-election.
align=left \| 100px Douglas E. Foster {{small\|(Westlake)}} \| {{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \| July 1, 1927 – June 30, 1929 \|Elected in 1927. Lost re-election.
align=left \| 100px Thomas W. Williams {{small\|(Silver Lake)}} \| {{Party shading/Socialist}}\|Socialist \| nowrap \| July 1, 1929 – April 13, 1931 \|Elected in 1929. Died.
style="height:3em" \| colspan=2\| Vacant \| nowrap \| April 13, 1931 – June 3, 1931 \|
align=left \| 100px Thomas F. Ford {{small\|(Silver Lake)}} \| {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|Democratic \| nowrap \| June 3, 1931 – March 1, 1933 \|Elected and appointed to finish Williams's term. Resigned when elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
style="height:3em" \| colspan=2\| Vacant \| nowrap \| March 1, 1933 – March 17, 1933 \|
align=left \| 100px James T. Carroll {{small\|(Westlake)}} \| {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|Democratic \| nowrap \| March 17, 1933 – June 30, 1933 \|Appointed, then elected to finish Ford's term. Not a candidate in the next election.
align=left \| 100px John W. Baumgartner {{small\|(Westlake)}} \| {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|Democratic \| nowrap \| July 1, 1933 – June 30, 1945 \|Elected in 1933. Re-elected in 1937. Re-elected in 1941. Re-elected in 1943. Retired.
align=left rowspan=2\| 100px Ed J. Davenport {{small\|(Westlake)}} \| {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|Democratic \| nowrap \| July 1, 1945 – April 16, 1948 \|rowspan=2\|Elected in 1945. Re-elected in 1947. Re-elected in 1949. Re-elected in 1951. Died.
{{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \|April 16, 1948 – June 24, 1953
style="height:3em" \| colspan=2\| Vacant \| nowrap \| June 24, 1953 – September 1, 1953 \|
align=left \| 100px Harriett Davenport {{small\|(Westlake)}} \| {{Party shading/Independent (United States)}}\|Independent \| nowrap \| September 1, 1953 – June 30, 1955 \|Appointed to finish her husband's term. Retired.
align=left \| 100px Ransom M. Callicott {{small\|(Westlake)}} \| {{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \| July 1, 1955 – November 14, 1962 \|Elected in 1955. Re-elected in 1959. Died.
style="height:3em" \| colspan=2\| Vacant \| nowrap \| November 14, 1962 – December 7, 1962 \|
align=left \| 100px John P. Cassidy {{small\|(Westlake)}} \| {{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \| December 7, 1962 – June 30, 1967 \|Appointed to finish Callicott's term. Elected in 1963. Re-elected in 1965. Lost re-election.
align=left \| 100px Robert M. Wilkinson {{small\|(Porter Ranch)}} \| {{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \| July 1, 1967 – June 30, 1979 \|Elected in 1967. Re-elected in 1969. Re-elected in 1971. Re-elected in 1975. Retired.
align=left \| 100px Hal Bernson {{small\|(Northridge)}} \| {{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \| July 1, 1979 – June 30, 2003 \|Elected in 1979. Re-elected in 1983. Re-elected in 1987. Re-elected in 1991. Re-elected in 1985. Re-elected in 1999. Retired.
align=left \| 100px Greig Smith {{small\|(Granada Hills)}} \| {{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \| July 1, 2003 – June 30, 2011 \|Elected in 2003. Re-elected in 2007. Retired.
align=left \| 100px Mitchell Englander {{small\|(Granada Hills)}} \| {{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \| July 1, 2011 – December 31, 2018 \|Elected in 2011. Elected in 2015. Resigned.
style="height:3em" \| colspan=2\| Vacant \| nowrap \| December 31, 2018 – January 15, 2019 \|
align=left \| 100px Greig Smith {{small\|(Granada Hills)}} \| {{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \| January 15, 2019 – August 23, 2019 \|Appointed to serve until next election. Retired.
align=left rowspan=2\| 100px John Lee {{small\|(Porter Ranch)}} \| {{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \| nowrap \| August 30, 2019 – January 12, 2020 \|rowspan=2\|Elected to finish Englander's term. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2024.
{{Party shading/Independent (United States)}}\|Independent \| nowrap\| January 12, 2020 – present

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

Councilmember

!Party

!Dates

!Electoral history

colspan="4" | District established July 1, 1925.

align=left | 100px
A. J. Barnes
{{small|(Westlake)}}

| {{Party shading/Progressive}}|Progressive

| nowrap | July 1, 1925 –
June 30, 1927

|Elected in 1925.
Lost re-election.

align=left | 100px
Douglas E. Foster
{{small|(Westlake)}}

| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap | July 1, 1927 –
June 30, 1929

|Elected in 1927.
Lost re-election.

align=left | 100px
Thomas W. Williams
{{small|(Silver Lake)}}

| {{Party shading/Socialist}}|Socialist

| nowrap | July 1, 1929 –
April 13, 1931

|Elected in 1929.
Died.

style="height:3em"

| colspan=2| Vacant

| nowrap | April 13, 1931 –
June 3, 1931

align=left | 100px
Thomas F. Ford
{{small|(Silver Lake)}}

| {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Democratic

| nowrap | June 3, 1931 –
March 1, 1933

|Elected and appointed to finish Williams's term.
Resigned when elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

style="height:3em"

| colspan=2| Vacant

| nowrap | March 1, 1933 –
March 17, 1933

align=left | 100px
James T. Carroll
{{small|(Westlake)}}

| {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Democratic

| nowrap | March 17, 1933 –
June 30, 1933

|Appointed, then elected to finish Ford's term.
Not a candidate in the next election.

align=left | 100px
John W. Baumgartner
{{small|(Westlake)}}

| {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Democratic

| nowrap | July 1, 1933 –
June 30, 1945

|Elected in 1933.
Re-elected in 1937.
Re-elected in 1941.
Re-elected in 1943.
Retired.

align=left rowspan=2| 100px
Ed J. Davenport
{{small|(Westlake)}}

| {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Democratic

| nowrap | July 1, 1945 –
April 16, 1948

|rowspan=2|Elected in 1945.
Re-elected in 1947.
Re-elected in 1949.
Re-elected in 1951.
Died.

{{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap |April 16, 1948 –
June 24, 1953

style="height:3em"

| colspan=2| Vacant

| nowrap | June 24, 1953 –
September 1, 1953

align=left | 100px
Harriett Davenport
{{small|(Westlake)}}

| {{Party shading/Independent (United States)}}|Independent

| nowrap | September 1, 1953 –
June 30, 1955

|Appointed to finish her husband's term.
Retired.

align=left | 100px
Ransom M. Callicott
{{small|(Westlake)}}

| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap | July 1, 1955 –
November 14, 1962

|Elected in 1955.
Re-elected in 1959.
Died.

style="height:3em"

| colspan=2| Vacant

| nowrap | November 14, 1962 –
December 7, 1962

align=left | 100px
John P. Cassidy
{{small|(Westlake)}}

| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap | December 7, 1962 –
June 30, 1967

|Appointed to finish Callicott's term.
Elected in 1963.
Re-elected in 1965.
Lost re-election.

align=left | 100px
Robert M. Wilkinson
{{small|(Porter Ranch)}}

| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap | July 1, 1967 –
June 30, 1979

|Elected in 1967.
Re-elected in 1969.
Re-elected in 1971.
Re-elected in 1975.
Retired.

align=left | 100px
Hal Bernson
{{small|(Northridge)}}

| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap | July 1, 1979 –
June 30, 2003

|Elected in 1979.
Re-elected in 1983.
Re-elected in 1987.
Re-elected in 1991.
Re-elected in 1985.
Re-elected in 1999.
Retired.

align=left | 100px
Greig Smith
{{small|(Granada Hills)}}

| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap | July 1, 2003 –
June 30, 2011

|Elected in 2003.
Re-elected in 2007.
Retired.

align=left | 100px
Mitchell Englander
{{small|(Granada Hills)}}

| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap | July 1, 2011 –
December 31, 2018

|Elected in 2011.
Elected in 2015.
Resigned.

style="height:3em"

| colspan=2| Vacant

| nowrap | December 31, 2018 –
January 15, 2019

align=left | 100px
Greig Smith
{{small|(Granada Hills)}}

| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap | January 15, 2019 –
August 23, 2019

|Appointed to serve until next election.
Retired.

align=left rowspan=2| 100px
John Lee
{{small|(Porter Ranch)}}

| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican

| nowrap | August 30, 2019 –
January 12, 2020

|rowspan=2|Elected to finish Englander's term.
Re-elected in 2020.
Re-elected in 2024.

{{Party shading/Independent (United States)}}|Independent

| nowrap| January 12, 2020 –
present

References

External links

[https://councildistrict12.lacity.gov/ Official City Council District 12 website]

Category:Los Angeles City Council districts

Category:San Fernando Valley

Category:Chatsworth, Los Angeles

Category:Granada Hills, Los Angeles

Category:Northridge, Los Angeles

Category:Porter Ranch, Los Angeles

Category:Reseda, Los Angeles

Category:West Hills, Los Angeles

Category:Santa Susana Mountains

Category:Simi Hills