Los Angeles's 13th City Council district is one of the fifteen districts in the Los Angeles City Council. It is currently represented by Democrat Hugo Soto-Martinez since 2022, after beating previous councilmember Mitch O'Farrell that year.
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.
Geography The district flanks the 101 freeway as it passes through part of Hollywood and north to Hollywood Boulevard in East Hollywood. The district's southern boundary includes the neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Echo Park, and Westlake; and north through Echo Park and western Elysian Park in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains; to Atwater Village, Elysian Valley, and a section of the Los Angeles River within its northeastern borders. It is geographically the smallest council district in Los Angeles and the most densely populated council district.
The district is completely within California's 30th congressional district and overlaps California's 26th and 24th State Senate districts as well as California's 51st and 52nd State Assembly districts.
Historical boundaries The 13th district was mapped at its origin in 1925 in the eastern part of the city, but over the years it has been shifted west in keeping with the city's population changes. That year, it was in the eastern part of the city, covering Monterey Hills, Montecito Heights, Elysian Park and part of Echo Park."First Map Showing City Council's Districts," Los Angeles Times, January 16, 1925, page 1"Here Are the Hundred and Twelve Aspirants for the City's Fifteen Councilmanic Seats," Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1925, page 7 Includes a map. It was described as the "North End, extending to Mt. Washington Drive, Avenue 44 and Marmion Way.""Who's Who in Council Race," Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1925, page A-1 The district headquarters was at 3014 Terry Place in Lincoln Heights."To the Citizens of Los Angeles," Los Angeles Times, February 14, 1926, page B-5Bing location for district office In 1940, the district extended westward to Vermont Avenue and south to Valley Boulevard."Proposed New Alignment for City Voting Precincts," Los Angeles Times, November 30, 1940, page A-3 Includes a map.
In 1960, it took over most of Hollywood and extended from the Alhambra city limits to Fairfax Avenue."Council OKs Changes in Its Districts," Los Angeles Times, November 1, 1960, page B-1 By 1964, Hollywood, Silver Lake, Echo Park and portions of Los Feliz and Lincoln Heights were a part of the district.Erwin Baker, "City Council Vacancy Sure to Stir Scramble," Los Angeles Times, December 28, 1964, page A-4 In 1973, the district bordered Eagle Rock on the east and reached into Hollywood on the west.Bill Boyarsky, "Bradley, Reddin, Unruh File for Mayor's Race," Los Angeles Times January 3, 1973, page 3 In 1986, after several attempts at redrawing councilmanic districts in accordance with a U.S. court order to provide for increased Latino representation, the City Council in 1986 adopted a plan that stripped Chinatown, Echo Park and adjoining areas from the 13th District but kept Hollywood and Silver Lake and also cut north into Studio City.Larry Gordon, "Voters Scramble to Make Sense of New Districts," Los Angeles Times, September 18, 1986, page GD-1 With map. The result was a decided shift to the north and west, including part of Studio City within the San Fernando Valley and all of Coldwater Canyon. The eastern boundary was roughly the east edge of Elysian Park."Los Angeles' Realigned Council Districts," Los Angeles Times, September 21, 1986, page B-3 Includes a map.
List of members representing the district CouncilmemberPartyDatesElectoral history District established July 1, 1925 Joseph F. FitzpatrickDemocratic July 1, 1925 – August 21, 1925Elected in 1925. Suspended after a bribery indictment."Ex-Councilmen Found Guilty," Los Angeles Times, October 23, 1925, page A-1 Vacant August 21, 1925 –October 23, 1925 Carl I. JacobsonRepublican October 23, 1925 – June 30, 1929Appointed to finish Fitzpatrick's term. Elected in 1927. Re-elected in 1929. Re-elected in 1931. Lost re-election. Darwin W. TateDemocratic July 1, 1933 – June 30, 1939Elected in 1933. Re-elected in 1935. Re-elected in 1937. Retired. Roy HamptonDemocratic July 1, 1939 – June 30, 1943Elected in 1939. Re-elected in 1941. Lost re-election. Ned R. HealyDemocratic July 1, 1943 – January 2, 1945Elected in 1943. Resigned when elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Vacant January 2, 1945 – April 6, 1945 Meade McClanahanRepublican April 6, 1945 – March 19, 1946Elected to finish Healy's term. Elected to full term. Lost recall election. Vacant March 19, 1946 – March 25, 1946 John R. RodenDemocratic March 25, 1946 – June 30, 1947Elected to finish McClanahan's term. Lost re-election. Ernest E. DebsDemocratic July 1, 1947 – December 1, 1958Elected in 1947. Re-elected in 1949. Re-elected in 1951. Re-elected in 1953. Re-elected in 1957. Resigned when elected to the County Board of Supervisors. Vacant December 1, 1958 – July 1, 1959 James H. BrownDemocratic July 1, 1959 – December 28, 1964Elected in finish Debs's term. Re-elected in 1961. Resigned to become a municipal court judge. Vacant December 28, 1964 – July 1, 1965 Paul H. LamportDemocratic July 1, 1965 – June 30, 1969Elected to finish Brown's term. Elected to a full term. Lost re-election. Robert J. StevensonDemocratic July 1, 1969 – March 4, 1975Elected in 1969. Re-elected in 1973. Died. Vacant March 4, 1975 – May 27, 1975 Peggy StevensonDemocratic May 27, 1975 – June 30, 1985Elected to finish her husband's term."Mrs. Stevenson, Pay Hike Foe, Takes Council Seat," Los Angeles Times, June 10, 1974, page C-1 Re-elected in 1977. Re-elected in 1981. Lost re-election. Michael WooDemocratic July 1, 1985 – June 30, 1993Elected in 1985. Re-elected in 1989. Retired to run for Mayor of Los Angeles. Jackie GoldbergDemocratic July 1, 1993 – December 4, 2000Elected in 1993. Re-elected in 1997. Resigned when elected to the California State Assembly.December 4, 2000 – July 1, 2001 Eric GarcettiDemocratic July 1, 2001 – June 30, 2013Elected in 2001. Re-elected in 2005. Re-elected in 2009. Retired to run for Mayor of Los Angeles. Mitch O'FarrellDemocratic July 1, 2013 – December 12, 2022Elected in 2013. Re-elected in 2017. Lost re-election. Hugo Soto-Martinez DemocraticDecember 12, 2022 –presentElected in 2022. Re-elected in 2026.
References Access to most Los Angeles Times links requires the use of a library card.
External links Official City Council District 13 website