Los Angeles's 12th City Council district is one of the fifteen districts in the Los Angeles City Council. It is currently represented by Independent John Lee since 2019 after he was elected to finish Mitchell Englander's term. Lee is the only Independent on the nonpartisan City Council, previously being a Republican much like his predecessors.
The district was created in 1925 after a new city charter was passed, which replaced the former "at large" voting system for a nine-member council with a district system with a 15-member council. At the time of creation, it was situated in Downtown Los Angeles before being moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1964. Within recent years up until 2020, the seat was held by Republicans and was considered a Republican stronghold within a Democratic city. It is the second largest district behind the 11th district.
Geography The district covers the northwestern San Fernando Valley communities of Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Northridge, Porter Ranch, West Hills, North Hills, and Reseda.
The district is completely within California's 32nd congressional district, California's 27th State Senate district, and overlaps California's 38th and 45th State Assembly districts.
Historical boundaries From 1925 to 1964 the district occupied the same general area in northwest Downtown Los Angeles, Bunker Hill, and Westlake, with a district office at 1209 Huntley Drive."To the Citizens of Los Angeles," Los Angeles Times, February 14, 1926, page B-5 Between 1928 and 1954, the boundaries expanded the district."Council Areas' Lines Changed," Los Angeles Times, December 29, 1928, page A-1"District Lines Get Approval," Los Angeles Times, December 24, 1932, page 2"City Reapportionment Measure Gets Approval," Los Angeles Times, January 19, 1933 With map of all districts."Do You Know Who Your City Councilman Is?" Los Angeles Times, March 24, 1935, page 22 Includes a map."Proposed New Alignment for City Voting Precincts," Los Angeles Times, November 30, 1940, page A-3 Includes a map. In 1954, it was now Downtown, between Figueroa and Catalina streets."6 Councilmen to Run; Mrs Davenport to Quit," Los Angeles Examiner, December 14, 1954, section 3, page 2, in Los Angeles Public Library reference file In 1955, it bordered Venice Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Figueroa Street."Unusual Setup for Council's Contests," Los Angeles Times, April 3, 1955, page B-3
In 1964, the council had discussed moving the 12th district to the northwest San Fernando Valley which had grown in population over the years, and incumbent John P. Cassidy agreed to do so, saying he would relocate to the area.Erwin Baker, "Councilman Cassidy Will Move to the Valley," Los Angeles Times, July 11, 1964, page 17 At the time, the area included Granada Hills, Northridge, Chatsworth, Panorama City, and the northern half of Canoga Park and had a population of about 190,000.Jack McCurdy, "New Council Districting Voted 14-0," Los Angeles Times, July 16, 1964, page A-1
List of members representing the district CouncilmemberPartyDatesElectoral history District established July 1, 1925. A. J. BarnesProgressive July 1, 1925 – June 30, 1927Elected in 1925. Lost re-election. Douglas E. FosterRepublican July 1, 1927 – June 30, 1929Elected in 1927. Lost re-election. Thomas W. WilliamsSocialist July 1, 1929 – April 13, 1931Elected in 1929. Died. Vacant April 13, 1931 –June 3, 1931 Thomas F. FordDemocratic June 3, 1931 – March 1, 1933Elected and appointed to finish Williams's term. Resigned when elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Vacant March 1, 1933 –March 17, 1933 James T. CarrollDemocratic March 17, 1933 – June 30, 1933Appointed, then elected to finish Ford's term. Not a candidate in the next election. John W. BaumgartnerDemocratic July 1, 1933 – June 30, 1945Elected in 1933. Re-elected in 1937. Re-elected in 1941. Re-elected in 1943. Retired. Ed J. DavenportDemocratic July 1, 1945 – April 16, 1948Elected in 1945. Re-elected in 1947. Re-elected in 1949. Re-elected in 1951. Died.RepublicanApril 16, 1948 –June 24, 1953 Vacant June 24, 1953 – September 1, 1953 Harriett DavenportIndependent September 1, 1953 – June 30, 1955Appointed to finish her husband's term. Retired. Ransom M. CallicottRepublican July 1, 1955 – November 14, 1962Elected in 1955. Re-elected in 1959. Died. Vacant November 14, 1962 –December 7, 1962 John P. Cassidy Republican December 7, 1962 – June 30, 1967Appointed to finish Callicott's term. Elected in 1963. Re-elected in 1965. Lost re-election. Robert M. WilkinsonRepublican July 1, 1967 – June 30, 1979Elected in 1967. Re-elected in 1969. Re-elected in 1971. Re-elected in 1975. Retired. Hal BernsonRepublican July 1, 1979 – June 30, 2003Elected in 1979. Re-elected in 1983. Re-elected in 1987. Re-elected in 1991. Re-elected in 1985. Re-elected in 1999. Retired. Greig SmithRepublican July 1, 2003 – June 30, 2011Elected in 2003. Re-elected in 2007. Retired. Mitchell EnglanderRepublican July 1, 2011 – December 31, 2018Elected in 2011. Elected in 2015. Resigned. Vacant December 31, 2018 –January 15, 2019 Greig SmithRepublican January 15, 2019 – August 23, 2019Appointed to serve until next election. Retired. John LeeRepublican August 30, 2019 –January 12, 2020Elected to finish Englander's term. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2024.Independent January 12, 2020 – present
References
External links Official City Council District 12 website