West Hollywood Mayor Endorses Goldsmith for State Senate
Mayor John Heilman announced his support for Brian Goldsmith in the upcoming State Senate election.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Political Parties
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West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman has endorsed Brian Goldsmith for State Senate, joining Councilmember Lauren Meister in supporting the candidate. This endorsement comes just weeks before the November 3 election.
Why it matters
The endorsement highlights shifting political alliances in the race, with leaders citing Goldsmiths collaborative approach as a key factor in their decision. It follows a period of notable endorsement volatility and split support among local Democratic clubs.
The California Democratic Party post-primary vote narrowly favored Goldsmith 34 to 32. Meanwhile, the West Hollywood Beverly Hills Democratic Club endorsement failed after neither candidate reached the 60% support requirement.
The players
John Heilman
He is the Mayor of West Hollywood who recently announced his endorsement of Brian Goldsmith for State Senate.
Brian Goldsmith
He is a candidate for the California State Senate who has received endorsements from key West Hollywood leadership.
Lauren Meister
She is a West Hollywood Councilmember who publicly endorsed Brian Goldsmith for the State Senate seat in April 2026.
John Erickson
He is a candidate for State Senate and a former West Hollywood Planning Commission appointee who has seen several officials withdraw their endorsements of his campaign.
The details
Several Manhattan Beach officials, including Councilmembers Amy Howorth and Nina Tarnay and former Councilmember Richard Montgomery, have withdrawn their support for John Erickson. The race has seen significant internal division, contrasting with Heilman's earlier support for Erickson during his 2020 council bid.
Timeline
October 2018: John Heilman appointed John Erickson to the Planning Commission.
2020: John Heilman supported John Erickson in his Council race.
April 2026: Lauren Meister endorsed Brian Goldsmith while the club endorsement vote failed.
August 2026: The Santa Monica Democratic Club voted 139 to 85 to endorse Brian Goldsmith.
November 3, 2026: Election Day.
Political Context
Opponents argue that these late-stage endorsements serve to alienate voters who supported Erickson based on his previous ties to local leadership. This creates a significant divide among party loyalists who are forced to choose between competing factions within the California Democratic Party post-primary endorsement process.
Voters in West Hollywood should prepare for the upcoming November 3 election, where the impact of these endorsements will be tested at the ballot box. Residents are advised to review candidate platforms to understand how these competing political visions may influence local legislative representation.
The takeaway
The race for State Senate has become a proxy for internal division among local Democratic leadership. Voters are encouraged to look past high-profile endorsements and focus on the policy differences between the two candidates before heading to the polls.
Further reading
For more on local alignments, see the latest updates on Political Parties in the area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WEHOonline.
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