West Hollywood Candidate Forum Held at Beaches Tropicana
The event featured top fundraisers while providing limited speaking time for other contenders in the race.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Anthony Vulin organized a candidate forum at Beaches Tropicana for the upcoming West Hollywood City Council election. Participation on the main stage was limited to the six candidates with the highest fundraising totals.
Why it matters
The organizer restricted the main stage to top fundraisers to ensure manageable discussion times on key issues like housing, business, and public safety. These topics were selected to address recurring concerns among West Hollywood voters.
The forum spanned 90 minutes, while seven excluded candidates were allotted 90 seconds each to speak. This follows recent City Council action where seven of eight Business Community Task Force recommendations were approved.
The players
Anthony Vulin
He is the organizer who hosted the West Hollywood City Council candidate forum.
Chelsea Byers
She is a candidate for the West Hollywood City Council endorsed by UNITE HERE Local 11.
Larry Block
He is a candidate for the West Hollywood City Council endorsed by the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs.
John Duran
He is a candidate for the West Hollywood City Council endorsed by the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs.
UNITE HERE Local 11
This is a labor union representing hospitality workers that has issued endorsements in the council race.
The details
The event, held at 8911 Santa Monica Blvd, featured discussions on public safety and business policy following the City Council’s rejection of a study on minimum wage and sales tax impacts. Candidates Chelsea Byers, Jonathan Cottrell, and Helen Krieger hold endorsements from UNITE HERE Local 11, while Larry Block, Kyle Brazeal, and John Duran are backed by the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: City Council evaluated Business Community Task Force recommendations.
September 27, 2026, 2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Excluded candidates presented 90-second statements.
September 27, 2026, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: The main candidate forum took place.
Political Context
The forum's debate on housing and safety directly reflects the ongoing implementation of the West Hollywood Business Community Task Force recommendations. Opponents of the current council majority have criticized the recent rejection of a study regarding city minimum wage and sales tax effects.
Residents can use these forums to evaluate how candidates plan to address local housing and business regulations following recent city policy shifts. The event format determines how voters receive information about the candidates seeking to fill three available council seats.
The takeaway
Voters should review the endorsements and policy positions of all 14 candidates to understand the full range of views represented in this election. Utilizing direct candidate statements allows residents to bypass forum stage restrictions and form their own opinions on key local issues.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming election, visit the Civic Engagement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WEHOonline.
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Should candidates be excluded from public forums based solely on their fundraising totals?
