Culver City

There are two at-large seats up for election on the Culver City Council this fall and LA Forward is proud to endorse both Freddy Puza and Thomas Auero Small for these important positions.

Freddy Puza has served on Council for the last four years. He’s a collaborative leader, community advocate, and problem-solver dedicated to making the city more affordable, inclusive, and sustainable for everyone

During his time in office, he has focused on addressing the issues that matter to residents: improving neighborhood livability, expanding housing affordability, protecting renters, supporting small businesses, investing in safe transportation options, advancing climate action, and strengthening Culver City's vibrant arts and cultural community.

He previously served on Culver City's Committee on Homelessness and the General Plan Advisory Committee, helping shape long-term solutions to some of the city's most pressing challenges. He also co-created Culver City Pride, helping launch the city's first-ever LGBTQ+ Pride celebration and establishing a new tradition that reflects Culver City's values of inclusion, belonging, and community. Through these efforts, Freddy has consistently worked to bring people together, amplify underrepresented voices, and build a city where everyone feels welcome.

As the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the Culver City Council, Freddy is proud to represent a city that embraces diversity and civic engagement. He remains focused on addressing the challenges facing Culver City while ensuring it remains a place where residents, families, workers, and small businesses can thrive.

He’s been endorsed by Our Culver, Culver City Democratic Club, Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Westside Young Democrats, Equality California, Stonewall Democrats, United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Friends of the Earth, and Moms Demand Action Gun Sense. He also has the backing of local elected officials like Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Rep. Laura Friedman, State Senators Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Ben Allen, as well as Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Culver City Councilmember Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Bubba Fish, and Fmr. Culver City Mayors Gary Silbiger and Meghan Sahli-Wells

There are two at-large seats up for election on the Culver City Council this fall and LA Forward is proud to endorse both Freddy Puza and Thomas Auero Small for these important positions.

Thomas Aujero Small was elected to the Culver City Council in 2016 and appointed Mayor in 2018. After serving one four-year term on the Council, he took time off to be with his kids. Six years later, he’s back and ready to serve again.

His path to public service began through the arts. A lifelong student of music, architecture, and cities, Thomas's work as a writer and researcher exploring the relationship between culture and

the built environment led to his appointment to the Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission. He also volunteered with the Culver City Unified School District, teaching Spanish to elementary students at Linwood E. Howe.

As a Cultural Affairs Commissioner, Thomas worked to strengthen Culver City's commitment to the arts and culture, including partnering with Poet Laureate Janet Hoult to establish the Culver City Artist Laureate Program, creating a lasting way to recognize the artists who enrich our community.

During his time on the Commission, Thomas developed a deeper appreciation for how local government shapes the future of a city. Then as a Council Member, he went on to chair the City's General Plan Update Committee, leading a community-wide conversation about responsible growth, neighborhood preservation, and the kind of city Culver City should become.

As Mayor, Thomas helped guide the city through a period of significant change while working to preserve the qualities that make Culver City such a special place to live. He focused on improving mobility, strengthening neighborhoods, modernizing infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and building partnerships that brought new resources to the city. Throughout his public service, he has believed that thoughtful planning and practical leadership can help every neighborhood thrive.

Thomas has also represented Culver City throughout Los Angeles County and California. He has served with the Southern California Association of Governments, the Westside Council of Governments, the California League of Cities, and other regional organizations helping Culver City compete for grants, build partnerships, and ensure the city's voice is heard on issues ranging from transportation to sustainability.

After completing his service as Mayor and City Councilmember, Small founded Culver City Forward, a public-private initiative that brought together residents, community organizations, and the city's leading media and technology companies to shape Culver City's future. Although the effort was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it reinforced his belief that strong partnerships between government, business, and the community can improve quality of life for everyone.

He continued his civic leadership by helping curate the Los Angeles Verde Exchange Conference, designing programs on urban mobility, international crisis response, and community resilience. His work included collaborations with the RAND Corporation to engage residents in recovery, planning and preparedness following the Los Angeles wildfires.

He currently serves on the LA Metro Sustainability Council, and on the advisory boards of the Urban Land Institute-LA and the Thomas Mann House, an international forum for democracy and transatlantic dialogue.

Small and his wife, Joanna Brody, have called Culver City home for decades, where they raised their two children. Thomas is running for City Council because he believes Culver City's best days are still ahead. He believes our city can be a place where families can thrive, seniors can age in place, businesses can succeed, housing is within reach, neighborhoods remain strong, and government earns the public's trust by listening, communicating openly, and delivering results.

He’s been endorsed by Our Culver, the Culver City Democratic Club, Westside Young Democrats, Los Angeles County Young Democrats, the CA Working Families Party, Sierra Club, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, Western States Carpenters, California Democratic Renters Council, Stonewall Young Democrats. He has the support of elected officials such as Culver Councilmembers Freddy Puza, Bubba Fish, and Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, as well as former Mayors Meghan Sahli-Wells, David Hauptman, and Gary Silbiger.

Analysis forthcoming.

Analysis forthcoming.

Analysis forthcoming.