WeHo Election Rundown: A Day Late & A Nickle Short

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With a majority of ballots counted in Los Angeles County, it appears that John Erickson and Danny Hang are set to claim the two seats on the West Hollywood City Council. Erickson and Hang's decisive lead underscores broad support, particularly from residents who favor progressive policies and community-focused initiatives.

 

Despite substantial backing from homeowners and business leaders, George Nickle finds himself in a distant fourth place. His stance against recent progressive measures, such as the Fountain Avenue bike lanes, may have alienated some voters, who appear to have favored candidates more open to change. Further complicating Nickle's standing were potential PAC violations revealed by Larry Block’s publication, WEHOonline.

Interestingly, Larry Block himself has emerged in third place, surpassing Nickle without the high-profile endorsements or extensive campaign visibility that some of his opponents commanded. Block’s grassroots appeal mirrors that of Councilmember Lauren Meister, who has consistently relied on her history with the city and name recognition from previous races to maintain a solid voter base.


Nickle’s campaign ran in tandem with Jordan Cockeram; however, many organizations chose instead to support Nickle alongside Zekiah Wright, a partnership that highlighted the ideological divide within the campaign. Wright initially withdrew from the race but re-entered close to the filing deadline, seeking endorsements and support that had largely been committed to other candidates. Some observers viewed Wright as a potential spoiler on the progressive end of the spectrum, especially given their appeal among groups typically allied with Nickle. Ultimately, Wright’s share of the vote—around 9%—was not sufficient to upset the balance of support for Erickson and Hang, who maintained strong majorities across the electorate.

As the dust settles on this election, West Hollywood residents appear to have signaled a preference for continuity in progressive governance while sending a message to candidates reluctant to embrace change.