Hermosa Beach

Six people seek three council seats. The council currently has a three-two right-wing majority, despite having four registered Democrats. Progressives have consolidated to support three candidates who are all endorsed by Beach Cities Democrats and who embrace the Hermosa Pride organization. In addition, the Beach Cities Democrats decisively endorsed them. While they may support some progressive policies, none of them would carry a progressive label.

LA Forward recommends you vote for Maggie Bove-LaMonica, Eric Horne, and Ray Jackson.

Maggie Bove-LaMonica grew up in Hermosa Beach and lived here most of her life, having left for short periods during her time in the Peace Corps. She is an attorney and has admirably served as a left-leaning to moderate Democratic voice on the school board for several years, mostly without controversy other than from the outspoken right-wing in Hermosa Beach. She has engaged with local South Bay progressive groups and their members, but recent endorsements she has made show support for more moderate policies. She disagrees with the recent vote by the city council to wait months to start exploring options on how to regulate STVRs (short-term vacation rentals) in the coastal zone. She is running on changing the dynamics in city hall, addressing the structural budget deficit, and protecting the city’s character and residents. Her plan starts with a city audit to align Hermosa's budget with residents' needs. Her solutions include proactively addressing infrastructure needs, like improving street navigability as well as developing a sustainable long-term plan for the pier and beach. She aims to revitalize Pier and Hermosa Avenues to attract more tourists and boost city revenue. Her leadership at the school board shows she has qualities needed to competently pilot the city through troubled times.

Eric Horne grew up in Hermosa Beach and recently came back after volunteering for the Peace Corps and working at the FDA. He is the California Director of Megafire Action, a policy advocacy organization working to end the megafire crisis. He has built a broad coalition of supporters through his social media presence and canvassing efforts. He is also the VP of Beach Cities Democrats. With a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to solving issues, his campaign has focused on public safety, protecting housing, supporting local businesses, and fiscal responsibility. Other priorities include ensuring Hermosa Beach has a pier and engaging more residents to participate in local affairs, which he has already started with his detailed social media updates about the city. He wants a fully staffed police force, as well as better infrastructure such as safer bike lanes, improved sidewalks, and installing blind spot mirrors. He also opposed the recent vote on STVRs in the coastal zone. He plans to help small businesses and fill empty store fronts by cutting unnecessary regulations. He proposes the city should focus on economic development and work on maximizing revenue opportunities from the Olympics. He plans to use AI to streamline city functions. His experience managing large budgets will help him lead the city through fiscal uncertainty and shows he has the skills necessary to serve on the city council.

Incumbent Ray Jackson is part of the left-leaning minority on the council. A resident for several years, he moved to Hermosa Beach after retiring from the military. He has been an outspoken proponent of livable cities and walkable streets, as well as has pushed to build affordable housing. He advocates for smart growth and resident engagement in city affairs. He can get combative during council meetings, calling out other council members as well as community members. He is often justified in these actions, but sometimes he steps a little over the line. He is a BIG target of the right-wing, who frequently direct racist and other derogatory comments his way, and who are pushing hard to get him off the council. He sees more community involvement as a solution to the budget and other pressing issues. On the recent decision of the city council to delay public discussion on STVRs, he voted no. He also voted against the controversial firing of the previous city manager. He deserves to be reelected.

Do not vote for:

Incumbent Dean Francois mostly votes with the right-wing majority on the council. He is endorsed by environmental groups since he has been active in the Sierra Club for many years, but most of his endorsements come from Republicans and those who are on the right of the political spectrum. He tried for the endorsement of the Beach Cities Democrats, but did not get it. He has joined the right-wing council members on controversial decisions, like the firing of a competent city manager, a vote that went against overwhelming opposition from the public. The city council then subsequently appointed their friend using a cursory hiring process. He seems to care most about maintaining the status quo and is against the sales tax measure and parking reforms. One of his fellow right-wing council members called him out for not having solutions to the budget crisis. Multiple complaints follow him, ranging from inappropriate behavior to breaking city laws. He has used city council meetings to air personal grievances. He has also held town halls on city property with staff present at which he campaigned. He thinks he works well with others at city hall and in the community, but he is an extremely divisive figure. He voted to delay the discussion on how to regulate STVRs in the coastal zone. He claims the council took swift action with this vote. In reality, it took them several months after the court ruling (that declared the STVR ban illegal) to even bring forward a solution. When they finally acted, the council bypassed the Planning Commission and did almost no public outreach, adding this item to the city council agenda shortly before the vote.

Incumbent Rob Saemann is the only Republican in the race and part of the right-wing majority that has dominated the city for the last two years. He has a background as a contractor and serves as the president of the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club. On city council, he has a quiet, generic presence, generally working to maintain the status quo. He is not a fan of bikes. He voted to delay public discussion on how to regulate STVRs. Several community members called for him to recuse himself on this vote since he owns rentals in town, but he did not. One of the few things he has advocated for is more parking for cars. In addition, he was selected to serve on the SBCCOG after he and the right-wing majority, without cause, removed CM Jackson as Hermosa Beach’s representative.

Elka Worner is a former Fox (Business) News and Sean Hannity producer/journalist, currently writing for the Easy Reader and the right-leaning Hermosa Review, as well as working at a local shop. Registered as NPP, she lost in a 2024 run, finishing fifth of six candidates for two spots. She does not yet have detailed plans on what she plans to do as a city council member, especially in regards to the budget, and she opposes the sales tax measure. She serves on the Parks & Rec Commission, where she has mostly aligned with the preferences of the right-wing council members. She opposes recent parking reforms and spoke at the city council meeting in support of delaying public discussion on STVRs.

See write-up for Maggie Bove-LaMonica.

See write-up for Maggie Bove-LaMonica.