Bird, 41, is a marriage and family therapist and third-generation Angeleno. He said he’s running for public office for the first time because he wants to help his neighbors feel safe and to build infrastructure for the unhoused, he said. He said he would lead with an emphasis on mental well-being and bring his experience as a mental health professional to city governance. He received his bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz and earned his master’s in marriage and family therapy from the Phillips Graduate Institute. Bird lives in North Hollywood with his wife.
Burgos is a small-business owner, a licensed optician and an at-large member of the North Hollywood Neighborhood Council, where she also serves on the executive board as treasurer. Burgos, 45, was elected to the Neighborhood Council in 2021 as the arts organization representative and became chair of the Housing and Services Committee. Burgos is running to protect renters and support the unhoused with “wraparound” services, she said. She lives in North Hollywood with her partner.
Gonez, 41, is a housing advocate and policy director at the environmental nonprofit Tree People. Previously, Gonez worked to provide housing and services to those in need with the San Fernando Valley nonprofit LA Family Housing. If elected to the City Council, he said he would make addressing homelessness, improving public transportation and promoting environmental justice his priorities. Gonez lives in North Hollywood with his wife and three children.
Kbushyan, 44, owns a small-business consulting firm and is a commissioner serving on the California state Respiratory Care Board. Born in Armenia, Kbushyan immigrated to Los Angeles when he was 10. He said he is running for City Council to change the culture of disconnection between elected officials and community members. Kbushyan said his key issues are homelessness, public safety and government corruption. He lives in Valley Glen with his wife and three children.
Nazarian is a former member of the California Assembly and served as Krekorian’s chief of staff in the Assembly and on the City Council. Nazarian fled Iran at age 8 and eventually settled in the San Fernando Valley. He has experience working for other elected officials including former Gov. Gray Davis and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks). Nazarian, 50, said he’s passionate about affordable housing, transportation and the environment. He lives in North Hollywood with his wife and three children.
Ghandilyan is an attorney whose campaign platform emphasizes economic growth, city modernization and housing inclusivity. Neither she nor candidate Rudy Melendez responded to interview requests.
This story originally appeared on LA Times
