Though final votes are still being counted, Freddy Puza has moved ahead to secure a seat on the Culver City Council, becoming the first out LGBTQ+ elected Council Member in the city’s history.
“This is a win for everyone who supported me during the race, and for the LGBTQ+ community
at large,” said Puza. “My team of volunteers, donors, and endorsers worked tirelessly to carry
me over the finish line. This is their victory as much as mine.”
Puza is regarded as an innovative, thoughtful, and responsible candidate who ran a campaign
that emphasized practical solutions to the issues facing Culver City. Nevertheless, he and
another candidate were targeted by several PACs that received nearly half a million dollars from
a local developer, an unheard-of sum for an election that is ten times greater than candidates
typically raise to run for a seat on the Culver City Council. Flyers distorting Puza’s views
repeatedly appeared in voters’ mailboxes.
Despite these headwinds, Puza stuck to his positive and progressive message, championing
housing, transportation, and climate change strategies that compassionately provide for the
needs of everyone in the community. His strong record of community involvement resonated
with voters, as well as his pledge to work for real solutions rooted in equity, diversity, and
inclusion.
Freddy Puza was endorsed by a slew of local and regional leaders, including U.S. Congressional Representative-Elect Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell, California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Los Angeles City Council Member Mike Bonin, Culver City Mayor Dr. Daniel Lee, Culver City Council Members Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Alex Fisch, and many other current and former officials. The candidate also received numerous endorsements from environmental organizations, Democratic groups, LGBTQ+ advocates, and labor unions, including Sierra Club, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, Friends of the Earth, Abundant Housing LA, Streets for All, Culver City Democratic Club, Stonewall Democratic Club, Westside Young Democrats, Equality California, LGBTQ Victory Fund, United Healthcare Workers West, Southwest Carpenters, IBEW Local 40, and Ground Game LA. Currently serving on Culver City’s General Plan Advisory Committee, Puza formerly volunteered on the city’s Committee on Homelessness. He has volunteered with a variety of local civic organizations, and was the co-organizer of the Culver City Pride Ride & Rally in both 2021 and 2022. “I am honored to be elected to the Culver City Council, and will do my best to serve all the people of Culver City,” promised Puza, “I hope to continue moving the community I love toward a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive future.”
James Klein
