November General Election Endorsements

Through a strong and consistent focus on increasing housing supply, Nithya Raman has set herself apart in the Los Angeles City Council, working to deconstruct the bureaucratic obstacles that slow development across the city. Her early leadership in raising concerns about Measure ULA’s impact on housing production and support of SB 79 underscores her thoughtful and pragmatic approach to housing policy.

Marissa has a clear understanding of the role of City Attorney as it pertains to housing policy and the advice the office can and should give to the City Council when it comes to approving housing developments or land use ordinances. She has also expressed commitment to building firewalls and precedents to prevent future abuse of this office when it comes to land use decisions. Finally, her experience as a litigation attorney provides her the skills and discernment to know how best to use the resources of the office, when to negotiate, and when to fight on behalf of the City and its residents.

With roots as an immigrant in Los Angeles and experience on Councilmember Curren Price’s team, Jose Ugarte understands the needs of his community and is strongly aligned with YIMBY priorities: reforming ULA, reducing the costs and barriers to development, and taking a pragmatic approach to tenant protections.

Chelsea Byers has been a consistent YIMBY champion on the West Hollywood City Council, supporting housing in every way possible and helping to usher in significant development of housing in West Hollywood. She is a housing leader that we wished could be replicated to every elected office!

YIMBY Los Angeles proudly endorses Sara Hernandez for State Senate because she has the hands-on housing expertise and coalition-building experience California needs right now. As a land-use and housing attorney and LACCD trustee, Sara helped secure approvals for transit-oriented developments and delivered more than 300 homes for formerly unhoused Angelenos — demonstrating that she not only supports housing, she gets it built.

Sara’s platform directly advances core YIMBY priorities:
• Streamlining approvals to end endless delays
• Legalizing duplexes and fourplexes in high-opportunity neighborhoods
• Expanding social housing and community land trusts to ensure affordability long-term
• Converting existing buildings into housing rather than leaving them vacant
• Creating walkable, transit-connected neighborhoods where people can live near jobs and schools

Her lived experience, immigrant roots, and career in public service show she understands why housing stability is foundational to economic opportunity. Sara has the policy depth and political courage to deliver housing at scale, prevent displacement, and build the equitable, abundant Los Angeles we know is possible.

YIMBY Los Angeles proudly endorses John Erickson for State Senate because he brings a clear, actionable housing agenda backed by a proven record of pro-housing leadership. As a West Hollywood City Councilmember, John cut permitting delays, championed mixed-use and infill housing, and supported new affordable homes that strengthened walkability and transit access. He knows what it takes to move housing from idea to approval to built.

John is running on statewide reforms that matter to YIMBYs, including:
• Removing red tape that blocks new housing
• Scaling affordable and workforce housing across thriving job centers
• Ensuring mixed-income, transit-oriented growth rather than sprawl
• Investing in infrastructure that supports dense, sustainable communities

While he also advocates for climate resilience and economic equity, housing is central to his vision: California must build more homes in the places where people want and need to live. John has already shown he can deliver results locally, and he’s ready to do the same at the state level to make housing abundance and affordability real.