On September 22, 2026 the Culver City Chamber of Commerce hosted the third Culver City Council candidate forum of the season, bringing together the five contenders vying for two council seats. While the incumbent mayor is running for re-election, the other council member is stepping down, leaving one seat wide open.
The lineup featured Mayor Freddy Puza sitting tall at center stage; former officer Kimberley Griffin with a commanding gaze; Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin bringing her stage charisma; former Mayor Thomas Small; and psychologist Franklin Carvajal, running on a ‘dark horse’ anti-establishment line.
The most notable thing about the forum was Carvajal’s presence. After being omitted from a recent Dem United Club forum, Carvajal used this stage to introduce himself for the first time. During his opening statement he offered that the race consists of “… left left, and middle right left, and I want to be the person in the middle,” Carvajal said. “I’m going to shake things up.”
Beyond offering a middle option, Carvajal’s arrival fundamentally changes the math of this race. In a local election where a dozen votes can decide the outcome, his presence could peel away vital support.
Taking a cue from the “small” scale of local politics, candidate Wisnosky Stehlin noted that the city needs more fiscal discipline.
“Culver City is too small of a city to spend so much,” she argued, pointing to the city’s size and tax base regarding the $16 million ‘homelessness’ expenditure.
On affordable housing, Puza stated his record with project groundbreakings like Jubilo Village, noting that while funding is expensive, residents want solutions. “People want tangible things,” Puza said.
On a question about local labor and minimum wage policy, candidates sought balance between worker protections and business survival.
Puza cited an ongoing city study on wage adjustments. Small talked about the need for “sustainable wage floors” to protect active construction projects, to be “sustainable for businesses and workers.” Wisnosky Stehlin urged leaders to “bring them to the table,” calling for stakeholder dialogue. Griffin argued that Culver City does not need to circumvent state minimum wage laws. Carvajal said he would advise officials to “start with the small of the small” so micro-businesses survive, noting that giants like “Amazon and Apple are doing fine” on their own.
Contributions from major donors continue to back both the Puza and Small campaigns, putting them in front with fundraising.
Puza also has solid grassroots support, receiving nearly 400 individual contributions. He talked about his funding model on social media this month, declaring, “Our campaign doesn’t take corporate dollars; our donors are neighbors.”
In an email sent to Culver City Crossroads following the forum, Carvajal explained the uphill battle of running without establishment backing. “I have been fortunate enough to be able to use some of my own resources to run,” he wrote.
Griffin also has access to considerable private funding; her partnership of almost a decade with current city council member Albert Vera, Jr. is well known throughout the community.
The Culver City Democratic Club backs Puza and Small, while Culver City Democrats United endorses Stehlin and Griffin.
The Culver City Chamber of Commerce, who hosted the forum, had endorsed Dan O’Brien in 2022. O’Brien opted not to re-run for his seat; after launching a campaign this Spring, he set it aside. He is currently President and CEO of the Chamber, changing a public service seat for one in the private sector, but remaining involved in municipal business.
The Chamber of Commerce has not yet announced endorsements.
Clara Carvalho
